ERIC BUTLER FROM HENDERSON AND WINCHCOMBE GRANTED LIMITED INTERNET ACCESS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In a recent development at Gloucester Crown Court, Eric Butler, a 61-year-old man originally from Stanway near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, has been granted permission to access the internet under strict conditions. This decision comes amidst ongoing concerns related to his past criminal activities and his status as a registered sex offender.

Eric Butler-Henderson has a long and troubling criminal history. He has served two separate prison sentences, one of which was specifically for child pornography offences. His criminal record also includes a conviction for indecent assault, which involved exploiting a teenage girl through a false medical examination. His offences date back to the early 2000s, with his first conviction occurring approximately twelve years prior to his latest court appearance.

His most recent incarceration was in March 2006, when he was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to 16 counts of making indecent images of children. Police investigations uncovered a staggering collection of over 10,000 indecent photographs of minors stored at his residence during a raid in April 2005. These offences have led to his registration as a sex offender for life, and he is subject to a comprehensive sexual offences prevention order that restricts his access to computers and the internet, allowing only for essential business use.

Despite these restrictions, Butler-Henderson applied to the court for limited internet access to facilitate his upcoming move to Australia. He explained to the judge, Martin Picton, that he did not own a personal computer and had no intention of acquiring one. His primary reason for seeking access was to research properties for rent, manage pension credit transfers, and communicate with his children via email. He emphasized that his use would be confined to public library computers, which he believed would provide sufficient oversight.

The judge acknowledged the concerns raised by the probation officer, who expressed worries that even supervised computer use could potentially lead to reoffending. However, Judge Picton noted that in today’s society, complete bans on computer access are increasingly difficult to enforce. He decided to adjourn the hearing temporarily to consult with police regarding their stance on social interactions involving public computers.

Following further discussions, the judge returned with a decision that allowed Butler-Henderson to use library computers but explicitly prohibited access to social networking sites such as Facebook. The police expressed reluctant approval of this variation, recognizing the necessity of internet access for legitimate purposes while maintaining safeguards against potential risks.

Eric Butler-Henderson’s criminal history and current restrictions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in balancing rehabilitation and public safety. His case underscores the complexities involved in granting limited internet access to individuals with a history of sexual offences, especially when such access is deemed essential for personal and logistical reasons related to relocation and communication.