JACK FLEMING OF CAMBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In March 2009, a disturbing case emerged involving Jack Fleming, a 55-year-old former primary school caretaker from Cambridge, who was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and viewing a significant number of indecent images of children. Fleming, who had served at Bar Hill Primary School for nearly three decades, was dismissed from his position following his admission to the crimes.

Cambridge Crown Court revealed that Fleming had viewed a total of 914 images depicting children aged between 5 and 13 years old. Among these, three images were classified at Level 5 on the Copine scale, indicating the most severe form of child exploitation, while an additional 127 images fell into Level 4, which also signifies serious abuse. The court heard that Fleming’s actions spanned over an extended period, with the viewing activity believed to have occurred over at least three years, if not longer.

The court was informed that Fleming had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of creating indecent images of children. The investigation was initiated when police officers from Cambridgeshire received information indicating that five Level 1 images had been accessed on a computer registered to Fleming’s address. Upon seizing his computer, authorities discovered not only the 914 images but also three video clips containing indecent depictions of children.

Judge Jonathan Haworth presided over the case and expressed grave concern regarding the nature of the images, especially those at Level 4, which involved very young children being sexually abused by adults. The judge emphasized that the sheer volume of images was an aggravating factor, highlighting the extent of Fleming’s offending. He noted that Fleming had been indulging in such viewing for a prolonged period, which compounded the severity of his actions.

Fleming was sentenced to eight months in prison, a ban from working with children for the rest of his life, and was ordered to register as a sex offender. Additionally, he was instructed to vacate the house in Gladeside, located on the same road as the school, by the following week. The court also acknowledged Fleming’s previous good character, with defense counsel Nicholas Davies stating that Fleming had shown “extreme remorse” for his actions, particularly regarding the impact on his wife and his family, friends, and former colleagues.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s cabinet member for learning, Cllr David Harty, commented on the case, affirming that all necessary checks had been properly conducted and that police investigations confirmed the offences did not involve the school itself. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding and the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation in the community.