DAVE SHORT STRUCK OFF IN HEXHAM AFTER CHILD PORN SCANDAL IN NEWCASTLE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community, David Short, a 46-year-old nurse from Hexham, has been permanently removed from the nursing register following revelations of his involvement in possessing and downloading illegal child pornography. The case, which came to light through a nationwide police operation, highlights the serious breach of trust and moral conduct expected of healthcare professionals.

Short's criminal activities came to public attention after authorities uncovered his extensive collection of illicit images, which included graphic depictions of girls being raped and scenes involving bestiality. It was revealed during the hearing that Short had repeatedly paid $29.95 on two separate occasions to access a website hosting these illegal materials. He stored these images in a folder labeled 'Young' on a computer located at his residence in Hexham, Northumberland, as well as on another computer at a relative's address in Newcastle. The images depicted young girls in various states of undress, with some explicitly showing acts of sexual violence and animal abuse.

Prior to his arrest, Short was employed as a nurse at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, a position that underscores the gravity of his misconduct given the trust placed in medical professionals. His failure to attend the disciplinary hearing held in central London was noted, and in his absence, the Nursing and Midwifery Council decided to strike him off the register. The council's decision was based on the finding that Short's actions supported and encouraged the debasement of children, thereby violating the ethical standards expected of nurses.

The investigation was part of Operation Ore, a comprehensive police initiative targeting individuals involved in the distribution and possession of child pornography. Detective Sergeant Gary Robson of Northumbria Police detailed that on October 8, 2002, officers executed a warrant at Short's home in Hexham, which led to his arrest. Authorities also seized multiple computer devices from his residence on Hextol Terrace and from a relative's home on Pendower Way in Newcastle. Forensic analysis of the seized equipment uncovered 74 illicit images within the deleted files section of his computer's hard drive.

Short, who is married, admitted during police interviews in October 2002 and again in January of the following year to downloading the illegal images. His criminal record was further cemented when he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on March 19, 2003. Subsequently, on September 8, 2003, he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to a 12-month community rehabilitation order, mandated to attend a sex offenders' programme, and ordered to pay £722 in costs. Additionally, he was required to register on the Sex Offenders' Register for a period of five years.

In a formal statement, Angela O’Connor, the chair of the disciplinary committee, emphasized the severity of the misconduct, stating, “In purchasing and accessing the images, the respondent has supported and encouraged the debasement of children. A nurse has a unique and privileged position in society, and the respondent’s own actions have forfeited that right to be in the profession.” The decision to remove Short from the nursing register was immediate, reflecting the council’s stance that such behavior fundamentally disqualifies an individual from practicing as a healthcare professional in the UK.