JAMES HYLAND FROM STOCKTON AND THORNABY CAUGHT IN SEX OFFENDER BREACHES AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDALS

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over several years, James Hyland, a resident of Stockton and Thornaby, has been repeatedly linked to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

In October 2017, Hyland, aged 43, was involved in a case where he claimed to be developing a 'dating app' using a mobile device kept hidden in his wardrobe. This incident occurred during a routine spot-check conducted by an officer as part of the conditions of his SHPO, which was imposed following his previous conviction for possessing nearly 3,500 child abuse images.

The officer, responding to the unannounced visit at Hyland’s home in Stockton, was required to inspect all internet-capable devices, including phones and computers. During the visit on June 17, the officer was handed over a computer and a phone. However, subsequent searches of Hyland’s residence uncovered a second mobile phone concealed in a wardrobe, a discovery that raised further concerns.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson explained that Hyland admitted to police that the second phone was a spare device, which he had kept for approximately two months. He claimed it was intended for developing an app aimed at children, which he wanted to test. Despite this, the phone was not subjected to analysis after being seized, and Hyland subsequently admitted to breaching the terms of his SHPO by failing to pass the device for inspection.

While Hyland was found to have otherwise complied with supervision, the court noted that he was suspected of being on the autism spectrum, prompting the judge to consider further assessment. Judge Peter Armstrong characterized Hyland’s breach as “more of a technical breach,” and he concurred with the pre-sentence report’s recommendation that Hyland undergo treatment rather than face immediate imprisonment.

As a result, Hyland was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes participation in a sex offender treatment program, 30 days of rehabilitation activities, a fine of £100, and an additional £100 in court costs. This sentence followed his earlier conviction for possessing a vast collection of child abuse images, which totaled over 800,000 images, with only a small fraction examined due to the volume. In January, Hyland was sentenced for this offense to a 10-month jail term suspended for two years, along with a five-year SHPO.

During the January hearing, it was revealed that Hyland had a clear interest in young children and exhibited voyeuristic tendencies, which were attributed to his loneliness and social isolation, compounded by a lack of sexual experience. Hyland’s history of offenses also includes a 2016 case where he admitted to possessing more than 3,000 indecent images of children. In that case, police found 1,861 items, including nine movies, at his Thornaby residence during a raid in November 2015.

Judge Shaun Morris acknowledged Hyland’s vulnerabilities, noting that his autism diagnosis made him particularly susceptible to harm if incarcerated. Consequently, Hyland was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to adhere to a five-year SHPO, along with a five-year registration as a sex offender and an activities requirement.

Throughout these proceedings, Hyland’s case has highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding online child exploitation and the challenges faced by the justice system in managing offenders with complex needs. His repeated breaches and possession of extensive illegal material underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and tailored interventions to prevent further harm.