ADRIAN MCKEVITT FROM CO ARMAGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CONVICTIONS

In December 2014, a man from Camlough, County Armagh, named Adrian Patrick McKevitt, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of possessing and creating child abuse images. McKevitt, aged 42, faced multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent and prohibited images of children, as well as pseudo-photographs of minors.

The court proceedings revealed that McKevitt had accumulated this illegal material over a period spanning from July 1, 2011, to September 17, 2012. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of possessing extreme pornographic images, seven counts of producing indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, and 15 counts involving the possession of indecent photographs and prohibited images of minors.

During the hearing held on Friday, December 5, the judge decided that McKevitt would not serve time behind bars but would instead be subjected to a comprehensive probation order. This probation period is set to last for three years and will run concurrently across all charges. As part of his sentencing, McKevitt is required to participate in alcohol and drug counseling or treatment programs throughout the duration of his probation.

Furthermore, the court mandated that McKevitt sign the sex offenders register for a period of five years. He is also explicitly prohibited from having any unsupervised contact, association, or communication with individuals under the age of 16, unless such contact is inadvertent or unavoidable and has prior approval from his designated risk manager. The court also imposed restrictions on his involvement in any paid, voluntary, or charitable activities that could provide access to children, requiring prior notification and approval from his risk manager.

In addition, McKevitt is barred from using any device capable of internet access unless it can display browsing history, lacks cleaning software, and is available for inspection by police officers. He is specifically prohibited from deleting internet history on any device for five years. The court ordered that all items seized from McKevitt, including his computer, be forfeited and destroyed to prevent further misuse of such material.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and the court's decision reflects a balance between punishment and rehabilitation for offenders like Adrian McKevitt from Co Armagh.