GEORGE BROWN OF HIGH PITTINGTON SHAMES HIMSELF WITH CHILD SEX OFFENDING IN DURHAM

The professional life and personal reputation of Geoffrey Roger Brown, a senior educator at the Durham Federation of Schools, have been irreparably damaged following his involvement in disturbing online activities targeting underage girls. Brown, who served as the head of science and deputy head of the sixth form, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation after police officers visited his residence in High Pittington, a village near Durham, on May 2, 2015.

During the police inquiry, officers requested access to Brown’s computer equipment. He directed them to his study located in the loft of his home, where they conducted a search. The prosecution, led by Conor Quinn, revealed that one of the monitors displayed a live chat in which a participant claimed to be only 14 years old. Brown openly admitted to the court that he had engaged in a conversation earlier that morning, stating, “This doesn’t look good. That’s me pretending to be 14, for a joke, this morning.” He also acknowledged that similar conversations had occurred the previous week, which he claimed to have deleted.

Further investigation uncovered that Brown had sent indecent images of children to other Skype users. His online exchanges involved requesting revealing photographs and making suggestive, sexually charged remarks. In some instances, he posed as a provocative teenage girl, seemingly willing to engage in sexual activities. Brown claimed that his online behavior was part of an investigation into paedophiles on the internet, attempting to justify his actions.

Brown, aged 54 and residing on Graham Terrace in High Pittington, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making indecent images of children, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to incite child pornography, and attempting to incite child sexual activity. The court was informed that Brown’s character was considered, noting his previous training and a degree in biochemistry. It was also highlighted that he was experiencing significant stress and that he would not return to a teaching career.

In sentencing, Recorder Bryan Cox imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with 18 months of probation aimed at addressing his offending behavior. Additionally, Brown was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring.