GORDON BARRASS FROM ASHINGTON SENTENCED FOR INDECENT IMAGES OF GIRLS UNDER 16

In a case that has shocked the local community of Ashington, Northumberland, Gordon Barrass, a 51-year-old resident of Bolsover Street, was formally prosecuted and sentenced for possessing indecent images of minors under the age of 16. The proceedings took place at the South East Northumberland law courts, where magistrates handed down a sentence that includes a five-year registration on the sex offenders' register.

The case came to light after Barrass’s computer was taken to a local repair shop, Computer Services on Station Road, Ashington, on May 17, 2008. The store’s manager, upon inspecting the device, discovered potential evidence of illegal material involving minors and promptly contacted law enforcement authorities. This action initiated a police investigation that would ultimately lead to Barrass’s arrest and subsequent charges.

Following the police’s intervention, officers conducted a search of Barrass’s residence. During the search, they uncovered a printed image of a child engaged in a sexual act, which was found in his bedroom. The investigation then proceeded with a forensic analysis of Barrass’s computer, which confirmed the presence of three images depicting girls under the age of 16 stored on the hard drive.

During police interviews, Barrass admitted to downloading the images from websites while under the influence of alcohol. He claimed that the images originated from an American website that included a disclaimer asserting that all models depicted were over 18, in compliance with U.S. law. Despite his assertions, the evidence was sufficient to establish the illegal nature of the images.

Prior to the trial, Barrass pleaded not guilty to the charge of making indecent photographs of a child. However, after a trial, the court found him guilty of the offence. Magistrates sentenced him to a six-month community supervision order, which includes monitoring and reporting requirements. Additionally, the court ordered the destruction of all images involved and imposed a financial penalty of £50 to cover court costs.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of illegal images of minors, and it highlights the importance of vigilance in local communities such as Ashington to prevent such crimes from occurring.