EDWARD DAVID HUNTER FROM KINVER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER DOWNLOAD OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN WOLVERHAMPTON

In a case that has shocked the community of Kinver, Edward (David) Hunter, a 39-year-old man residing on Redwood Road, was found to have downloaded highly disturbing indecent images of children over a period spanning from July 2004 to March 2009. The revelation came to light after Hunter's ex-wife took his computer to the police, uncovering material that had been considered 'dead and buried' for several years.

During the hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Recorder David Mason QC addressed Hunter directly, emphasizing that he believed the man would not face further legal issues related to this matter. The court was informed that Hunter had previously maintained a good character, and the images in question only surfaced due to the disintegration of his marriage. The court noted that Hunter's ex-wife had taken the step of reporting the matter, which led to the investigation.

Recorder Mason explained that there was no evidence to suggest Hunter had viewed these images during the years they were supposedly 'dead and buried.' He described this period as a part of Hunter's life that was effectively closed, albeit a very unpleasant chapter. The judge acknowledged the severity of the offense but also recognized Hunter's remorse and the fact that the images had not been actively viewed during the intervening years.

Furthermore, the court heard that Hunter had been described as a 'broken man' who had lost a very good job as a consequence of his actions. The judge characterized the case as 'tragic' and made it clear that Hunter's behavior from many years ago was disgraceful, but he also emphasized that this chapter was now over. In a rare move, Recorder Mason decided to impose an alternative to immediate imprisonment, considering Hunter's circumstances.

Following his guilty plea to 12 charges of making indecent images of a child, Hunter was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order. Additionally, he was placed under 12 months of supervision to monitor his progress and ensure compliance with the court's directives. The sentence reflects a balance between punishment and the recognition of Hunter's remorse and the passage of time since the offenses occurred.