JOHN BUTCHER IN SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS SENTENCED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

JOHN BUTCHER IN SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS SENTENCED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

In May 2014, a man from South Woodham Ferrers was ordered to attend an internet sex offenders' course following the discovery of child abuse images on his computer.

The court was told that police, while checking a website, found John Butcher's address and subsequently confirmed that he had downloaded indecent images of children.

John Butcher, aged 63, of Albert Road, pleaded guilty to seven charges of creating indecent images during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC opted against sentencing Butcher to jail, stating that a community-based sentence would be more effective for his rehabilitation.

The court was also informed that Butcher had begun taking steps to address his interest in pornography.

A total of 138 images, rated between one and five on the seriousness scale, were discovered on Butcher’s computer, including images of young girls aged between seven and 14, according to prosecutor Carolyn Gardiner.

The judge ordered Butcher to participate in an internet sex offenders' programme run by the probation service.

Additionally, he received three years of supervision, a 40-hour unpaid work order, and was placed on the sex offenders' register for five years.