ANTHONY HARVEY FROM BERROW ESCAPES PRISON DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN SOMERSET

In a case that has shocked the local community of Berrow, Somerset, Anthony Harvey, a primary school teacher, was found guilty of possessing and downloading a significant amount of child pornography but was spared from imprisonment. The incident came to light after police investigations uncovered disturbing evidence on Harvey's personal computer.

In July 2005, authorities revealed that a raid conducted at Harvey's residence uncovered an alarming collection of over 9,000 pornographic images depicting young girls. The police action was initiated after Customs and Excise intercepted two videos online that featured young girls in explicit content, which Harvey had ordered. This interception raised suspicions that led to the subsequent police investigation.

Harvey, who was employed at Berrow Primary School, was immediately dismissed from his teaching position once the school authorities became aware of the allegations and the ongoing court case. The 43-year-old man faced multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. During police interviews, Harvey admitted to developing an addiction to downloading such material, revealing that he accessed these images two or three times weekly. His guilty plea to 17 charges of making indecent images of children and one charge of possessing such images marked a significant moment in the case.

The court proceedings, held at Bridgwater Magistrates' Court, resulted in Harvey being sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order. This decision was made despite the severity of the charges, which could have warranted a custodial sentence. The magistrates, led by Chairman Alan Webb, explained that Harvey's previous good character and his early guilty plea influenced the court's decision to avoid immediate imprisonment. Harvey was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to undergo a sex offender treatment program. Additionally, he was required to pay costs amounting to £55.

Chairman Webb expressed the court's distress over the case, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes committed. He stated, “The bench have found this a distressing case to listen to and you are well aware that it could have brought a custodial sentence. The reason you are not going into custody is because of your previous good character and you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.” The case has left many in the community of Berrow questioning the adequacy of the sentence given the nature of the offenses, but the legal process has concluded with Harvey's current sentence and registration requirements.