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GEORGE RICHARDS SHOCKS BIRMINGHAM AND STREET WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE
In October 2011, a disturbing case emerged involving George Richards, a 75-year-old accountant with deep roots in the community of Street and currently residing on Warstone Lane in Birmingham. Richards, who had previously been a respected figure working for the church and actively participating in local community activities, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after a routine computer repair visit uncovered troubling evidence.Richards had taken his personal computer to a repair shop in November of the previous year. The staff at the shop, upon examining the device, discovered a series of files that appeared to contain indecent images of children. Recognizing the severity of the content, the shop employees promptly contacted law enforcement authorities. When police officers arrived to retrieve the computer, Richards was present to collect it. During questioning, he admitted to deliberately viewing the images, explaining that his actions were motivated by curiosity about whether authorities were actively pursuing such material. Prosecutors revealed that the computer contained a total of 57 images, including 11 classified as second most-serious category, along with some images that had been deleted or stored in password-protected files. Caroline Bolt, the prosecutor, emphasized that the images were well protected and hidden, indicating a deliberate effort to conceal the material.
Richards' defense attorney, Patrick Mason, highlighted his client's previously unblemished record and exemplary life. Mason detailed Richards' service in the infantry during National Service in the 1950s, his long-standing career as an accountant with a large company, and his subsequent retirement at age 59 to establish a small private practice. Mason also underscored Richards' active involvement in church activities, including youth work and participation in Sunday schools, as well as his engagement with professional organizations. The lawyer painted a picture of a man who was highly respected within his community, a devoted father and grandfather who had been deeply involved in family life, often helping with grandchildren during school holidays. Mason expressed that no prior concerns or allegations had ever been raised against Richards.
He explained that Richards' discovery of child pornography was accidental, resulting from a search for computer games for children. The search engine, unfortunately, returned child pornography results, which shocked Richards. In an attempt to address the situation, Richards downloaded the images he knew to be indecent and tried to block further access by clogging the website. However, instead of reporting the matter to authorities, he chose to take the hard drive to a computer repair shop. Mason admitted that Richards was aware he had done wrong and that his actions were a mistake. Following the incident, Richards left his home in Birmingham and moved to the Midlands. His family, including his wife and grandchildren, voluntarily distanced themselves from him, and no one had previously expressed concern about his behavior.
The prosecution expressed their disappointment and distress over the case, emphasizing the shock it caused within the community. Mason argued that Richards was a decent man who had made a grave error, and at his age, imprisonment would be inappropriate. The court heard that the computer contained 57 images and nine movies, a relatively small number compared to many similar cases. Judge Eric Salomonsen acknowledged Richards' good character and noted that such incidents are rare. He stated that Richards was unlikely to reoffend and that further imprisonment would serve no purpose. Instead, the judge imposed a community order with two years of supervision, mandatory attendance at a sex offenders' treatment program, and a Sex Offenders' Prevention Order that prohibited Richards from working with children. The sentence aimed to balance accountability with recognition of Richards' personal circumstances and the need for rehabilitation.