CHRISTOPHER CORK FROM CRAIGAVON JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE POSSESSION

In June 2013, a man from Craigavon named Christopher Cork was sentenced to prison for possessing indecent images of children. The case was heard at the Crown Court, where Cork, aged 26 and residing at Drumellan Court in Craigavon, faced a total of 16 charges related to the possession of such illicit material.

During the proceedings, Cork was found guilty of 13 charges, with three remaining unresolved. The charges stemmed from an incident on August 25, 2011, when he was found to be in possession of pornographic images depicting minors. The court took into account Cork’s early plea of guilty, which influenced the sentencing decision.

As a result, the judge sentenced Cork to a total of 15 months in prison. Of this sentence, three months were to be served in custody, while the remaining 12 months would be on license, meaning Cork would be subject to supervision after his release. The court also emphasized the seriousness of the sexual offense, which falls under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and notified Cork in open court of his obligation to comply with the Act’s notification requirements for a period of ten years.

Furthermore, the court considered imposing a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on Cork. This order restricts him from owning or accessing any computer or electronic device capable of connecting to the internet without prior approval from his designated risk manager. Cork is also prohibited from denying police access to any such devices when requested and must not delete any browsing history or data from approved devices.

Given the length of his imprisonment—exceeding 12 months—the court also disqualified Cork from working with children under the provisions of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Order 2003. This measure aims to prevent any potential risk to minors and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation or harm.

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing efforts of the judicial system to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, emphasizing the importance of strict penalties and preventative orders to safeguard children and uphold public safety in Craigavon and beyond.