ERIC CARMON FROM WIDNES SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In December 2007, a serious case involving a man from Widnes who was found guilty of possessing indecent photographs of children was brought to public attention. The individual, identified as 57-year-old Eric Carmon of Christie Street in Widnes, faced significant legal repercussions following his conviction.

According to court reports, Carmon was subjected to a wave of threats and abusive correspondence after his conviction in October of that year. The court heard that the harassment was relentless, with Carmon being driven out of his home in Widnes as a result of the hostile reactions from the community and individuals aware of his conviction.

In the subsequent sentencing hearing, Carmon was handed a prison term of three months. Additionally, he was ordered to be registered on the national paedophile register under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, a measure designed to monitor and restrict individuals convicted of such offenses.

During the proceedings, Beverley Hackett, representing Carmon, made an appeal for understanding and sympathy. She emphasized that her client had been subjected to considerable distress, stating, "My client has been subjected to a lot of threats and nasty and abusive letters since he last appeared in court. He has had to go and live elsewhere and just returns to collect his mail. He has suffered."

Despite her plea, the stipendiary magistrate, Phillip Dodd, underscored the severity of the crime and the necessity of a custodial sentence. He remarked, "You have been convicted of possessing hundreds of indecent images of children on a computer base. They are indicative of an unhealthy interest. The court cannot justify any sentence other than custody because of the grave public concern over this matter."

This case highlights the ongoing societal and legal efforts to combat child exploitation and the importance of strict penalties for those found guilty of such heinous crimes, especially in communities like Widnes where the incident has caused significant public alarm.