JAMES SHARROCK, HOMELESS CHEF FROM STROUD, RECEIVES TREATMENT INSTEAD OF JAIL

In September 2011, James Sharrock, a 46-year-old homeless chef from the Stroud area, was involved in a case related to child pornography. Sharrock admitted to possessing indecent images of children on April 30 and again on May 25. Prosecutor Lisa Hennessy explained that when police arrested him on April 30, they discovered 375 indecent images on his laptop, including two at the most serious level, 31 at level four, 19 at level three, 15 at level two, and the remaining 308 at level one.

Later, on May 25, while out on bail, Sharrock met with his wife and showed her some of the indecent material on his mobile phone, which she saw contained at least 10 images of children. Police investigations revealed even more images, notably including three depicting bestiality.

Despite his offences, and even though Sharrock had committed further child porn violations while on bail, Judge Jamie Tabor QC decided to grant him treatment rather than impose a prison sentence. The judge explained that this decision was made because he believed rehabilitation was more appropriate.

Earlier in the month, the court twice postponed the case to allow efforts to find accommodation for Sharrock after his release from custody, where he had been on remand for approximately two and a half months. Unfortunately, no suitable housing was identified, and Sharrock would depend on the probation service to help him find shelter for the night, as he was living rough in his car during his arrest.