DAVID HODGSON FROM CASTLESIDE AND CONSETT INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

In February 2009, a tragic case emerged involving David Hodgson, a man from Castleside near Consett, whose actions were deeply influenced by personal grief and emotional turmoil. The court heard that Hodgson, who was serving as the deputy chief executive at Consett YMCA, fell into a pattern of destructive behavior following the death of his stepson, 13-year-old Ben Stirland.

Ben tragically died in January 2007 after choking on a pen top while doing his homework. His death was a devastating family tragedy that profoundly affected Hodgson, leading him to seek solace in alcohol and internet browsing. During this period of intense grief, Hodgson reportedly turned to the internet, not out of depravity but as a means of coping with his overwhelming sorrow. However, this period also marked the discovery of disturbing material on his work and personal devices.

Police investigations revealed that Hodgson had downloaded and stored indecent images of children, including 102 such images on his work computer, which was borrowed from Consett YMCA. The police recovered this material during a broader investigation into internet child pornography in June of that year. The images ranged in severity, with 80 classified as the least serious category, but notably, seven images fell into a more serious level of indecency. The laptop was seized from Hodgson’s home in Castleside, and forensic analysis confirmed the presence of these illicit images.

Prosecutor David Crook stated that Hodgson admitted to viewing adult pornography but denied actively seeking child images on his laptop. Despite this, Hodgson, aged 38, from Consett Road, Castleside, faced multiple charges, including 16 counts of making indecent photographs of a child and an additional charge of possessing such images. These charges had been brought against him at an earlier hearing.

During the court proceedings, Hodgson’s defense lawyer, Eric Elliott, described the case as “an exceptional one,” emphasizing the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Hodgson’s actions. He explained that Hodgson’s behavior was driven by his inability to cope with the loss of his stepson and the subsequent emotional distress. Mr. Elliott highlighted that Hodgson had been deeply affected by his family tragedy, which he described as “a family tragedy of monumental proportions.”

He further explained that Hodgson had thrown himself into his work at the YMCA but found himself overwhelmed by grief, leading to alcohol abuse and internet misuse. Mr. Elliott clarified that Hodgson’s browsing was not motivated by lust or depravity but was a response to his emotional pain. The defendant had sought help from mental health professionals, including a therapist and psychiatrist, to address his mental health issues.

Judge Brian Forster addressed Hodgson directly, acknowledging his previous contributions to society and his efforts to support disadvantaged youth. Recognizing the exceptional circumstances of the case, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment. Instead, Hodgson was sentenced to a three-year probation supervision order, which required him to attend an internet sex offender group work program. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. Hodgson also lost his job following the revelation of his offenses, marking a significant turning point in his life and career.