BRIAN EMENEY FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

A former officer of Warwickshire Police has come dangerously close to serving time behind bars after admitting to possessing indecent images of children as young as three years old. The individual in question, Brian Emeney, aged 70, initially denied the allegations, claiming that some of the images found on his devices might have been accessed by tradespeople who had legitimate access to his electronic equipment.

Emeney was taken into custody at his residence in Stratford-upon-Avon on August 6, 2020, following a tip-off from his former police force regarding the presence of such illicit material on his devices. Subsequent forensic examinations of his digital devices revealed a disturbing collection of indecent images, which Emeney admitted were his. However, he insisted that he did not possess any sexual interest in children and suggested that tradespeople could have accessed his devices without his knowledge.

The images in question were downloaded over a span of more than three years, from May 3, 2017, to July 20, 2020. The material included three Category A images, nine Category B images, and a staggering 1,248 Category C images. Most of these images were stored on his laptop, with some also found on a USB drive. Despite acknowledging ownership of the images, Emeney pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

During his appearance at Warwick Crown Court, the court sentenced him to a 24-month community order. As part of his punishment, he was ordered to undertake 30 days of rehabilitation and complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, Emeney is required to register as a sex offender for five years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. The court also ordered him to surrender his laptop and USB drive and imposed a fine of £425 to cover court costs.

The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the gravity of such offenses, emphasizing that these crimes are far from victimless. They stated, "These types of offences are not victimless. Emeney downloaded sickening images of real children being abused over a lengthy period of time." The CPS also urged victims and survivors of sexual abuse to seek support from organizations like The Survivors Trust, which offers services to individuals of all genders and ages affected by sexual violence.