BRIAN SULLIVAN FROM NORTON AND SUNDERLAND ESCAPES JAIL IN DISTURBING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE
| Red Rose Database
Sunderland Norton Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Norton and Sunderland, Brian Sullivan, aged 58, faced serious allegations related to the possession of child pornography. Sullivan, who had previously been involved in activities advertising prostitution services online, was found to have a disturbing collection of illegal material on his computer.
According to court records, police officers seized two computers from Sullivan's residence in Norton, Stockton, during an investigation in July 2002. The investigation was initially prompted by the discovery of the Boro Working Girls website, which listed contact details, sex services, and charges related to vice activities on Teesside. The authorities' focus eventually turned to Sullivan after the investigation revealed his connection to the illegal content.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Sullivan had in his possession ten video clips depicting a girl under the age of 16 engaged in sexual acts with an adult, as well as scenes of her naked in a shower. These clips were downloaded from the internet and stored in a specific folder on his computer. When police showed Sullivan the clips, he claimed to have no recollection of whether he had viewed them before. Prosecutors stated that Sullivan admitted to having previously looked at child pornography online, asserting that his interest was driven by curiosity rather than any paedophile tendencies.
In court, Sullivan pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children. The judge, Tony Briggs, described the content as distressing and disgusting, emphasizing the severity of the offense. Sullivan was sentenced to six months in jail, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period.
It was also noted that Sullivan had a history of mental health issues, including depression, and had attempted suicide twice in the past two years. He was known to regularly consult with medical professionals and counselors. His defense argued that Sullivan had a significant interest in pornography, possessing approximately 19,000 images, but clarified that aside from the ten clips involving minors, none of his collection related to children.
Previously, Sullivan had been convicted in October of the previous year for living off the earnings of prostitution, a charge he admitted alongside co-defendant Colin Dale, 51, of Southfield Crescent, Norton. Sullivan received a 12-month suspended sentence for that offense.
Judge Briggs took into account Sullivan's health and personal circumstances when passing the new sentence. He warned Sullivan that these were very serious matters and that any further misconduct would result in a significant prison term. Additionally, Sullivan was ordered to report his whereabouts to the police for the next ten years, underscoring the ongoing monitoring of his activities.
According to court records, police officers seized two computers from Sullivan's residence in Norton, Stockton, during an investigation in July 2002. The investigation was initially prompted by the discovery of the Boro Working Girls website, which listed contact details, sex services, and charges related to vice activities on Teesside. The authorities' focus eventually turned to Sullivan after the investigation revealed his connection to the illegal content.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Sullivan had in his possession ten video clips depicting a girl under the age of 16 engaged in sexual acts with an adult, as well as scenes of her naked in a shower. These clips were downloaded from the internet and stored in a specific folder on his computer. When police showed Sullivan the clips, he claimed to have no recollection of whether he had viewed them before. Prosecutors stated that Sullivan admitted to having previously looked at child pornography online, asserting that his interest was driven by curiosity rather than any paedophile tendencies.
In court, Sullivan pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children. The judge, Tony Briggs, described the content as distressing and disgusting, emphasizing the severity of the offense. Sullivan was sentenced to six months in jail, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period.
It was also noted that Sullivan had a history of mental health issues, including depression, and had attempted suicide twice in the past two years. He was known to regularly consult with medical professionals and counselors. His defense argued that Sullivan had a significant interest in pornography, possessing approximately 19,000 images, but clarified that aside from the ten clips involving minors, none of his collection related to children.
Previously, Sullivan had been convicted in October of the previous year for living off the earnings of prostitution, a charge he admitted alongside co-defendant Colin Dale, 51, of Southfield Crescent, Norton. Sullivan received a 12-month suspended sentence for that offense.
Judge Briggs took into account Sullivan's health and personal circumstances when passing the new sentence. He warned Sullivan that these were very serious matters and that any further misconduct would result in a significant prison term. Additionally, Sullivan was ordered to report his whereabouts to the police for the next ten years, underscoring the ongoing monitoring of his activities.