GOSFORTH MAN GEORGE HOBSON CAUGHT WITH HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY

In April 2019, George Hobson, a 33-year-old resident of Gosforth, faced serious legal consequences after being found in possession of some of the most disturbing and severe category child abuse images. The case revealed that Hobson had downloaded approximately 700 illicit photographs, including 307 classified as Category A, which is designated for the most severe and penetrative forms of child exploitation. These images were collected over a period spanning from September 2, 2014, to June 9, 2016, on his personal computer at his Gosforth home.

Hobson’s criminal activities did not stop at mere possession. Prosecutors also uncovered that he possessed extreme pornographic material involving women and dogs, further highlighting the disturbing nature of his online activities. The authorities discovered these illicit files during an investigation into his computer, which was located at his residence in Linhorpe Road, Gosforth.

Following his arrest, Hobson pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images of a child, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and one count of possessing extreme pornography. The court was informed that he had downloaded these images from his computer between September 2014 and June 2016. The severity of the case prompted District Judge Sarah Griffiths to refer the matter to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing, citing the seriousness of the offences.

At the initial hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Hobson was released on unconditional bail, with a scheduled appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on December 6. The court proceedings revealed that Hobson was also found in breach of a decade-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed in 2015, which was designed to restrict his access to the internet and prevent further offending.

In a subsequent hearing in April 2019, Hobson faced a more comprehensive sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court. His legal representative, Paul Caufield, argued that Hobson was an ‘extremely isolated’ individual with low intelligence who would not cope well in prison. Caufield also emphasized that Hobson primarily lived his life in the ‘virtual world’ and had a history of living in social isolation. Despite these arguments, the judge, Robert Spragg, decided that Hobson deserved a custodial sentence, but one that was suspended. Hobson was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, the same as his previous sentence for similar offences.

Hobson now resides in a residential care home, where any internet access is strictly supervised. He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child, possessing extreme pornographic images, breaching his suspended sentence, and violating the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. As part of his punishment, he was fined £50 for breaching the suspended sentence and received a new ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to further restrict his activities.

Judge Spragg emphasized the importance of continued progress and warned Hobson that another prison sentence could be imminent if he failed to demonstrate ongoing rehabilitation. The judge stated, “I want a prison sentence hanging over his head. If he does not continue with his significant progress…he is not going to get a second chance.” This case underscores the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat online child exploitation and the importance of strict legal measures to prevent reoffending.