GOLDBOURN FROM BIRTLEY SENTENCED IN GATESHEAD FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In May 2017, a man named David Goldbourn, now residing in the Bensham area of Gateshead, faced court proceedings related to allegations of possessing indecent images of children.

The court heard that suspicions arose when Goldbourn denied having downloaded any child sexual images. Despite his denial, police had recovered a computer hard drive and desktop from his Birtley home, near Chester-le-Street, following a 7am raid on February 26 of the previous year.

An analysis of the devices uncovered 153 images of child exploitation, although these files were initially inaccessible because they had been deleted. Further investigation revealed that the images had been accessed over a period of 13 months prior to December 2016. Among these, four images depicting girls aged between eight and eleven were classified as the most serious category.

Mr. Baker stated that Goldbourn was interviewed twice during the investigation and maintained his denial of accessing or searching for such images. Furthermore, he presented a list of 23 individuals who had access to his devices, including his three sons and their friends.

“Police investigated those on the list and statements were taken from witnesses, none of whom had involvement in accessing these images,” said Mr. Baker.

Goldbourn, aged 36 and of Lansbury Drive, initially denied three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. However, during the trial's commencement last week, he changed his plea to guilty.

In mitigation, John Wilkinson told the court that since Goldbourn admitted his guilt, he has been “commendably frank” with the Probation Service. Recorder Euan Duff, however, remarked, “It’s a pity he wasn’t as frank with the police earlier.”

Mr. Wilkinson also noted that this situation has negatively impacted his relationship with his sons, although Goldbourn remains supported by his current partner. He emphasized that Goldbourn has employment, no prior convictions, and is considered a low risk of re-offending, suggesting this may be a one-time incident.

Recorder Duff addressed Goldbourn directly, saying, “At the eleventh hour you had the good sense to plead ‘guilty’. You must understand, every time these images are viewed, children elsewhere are being abused.”

Goldbourn was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, with an additional 20 days of rehabilitation activities ordered by the Probation Service. Due to his late plea, he was also ordered to pay £3,500 in costs. Furthermore, he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and must register as a sex offender for ten years.