JOHN MCCORMICK STRATFORD CHILD ABUSE CASE: JAIL SENTENCE UPHELD BY COURT

In February 1996, authorities conducted a raid on the residence of John McCormick, a 71-year-old man from Stratford, uncovering a significant collection of obscene material. The police investigation revealed that among the illicit items found were photographs depicting two young girls alongside McCormick, raising serious concerns about his involvement in child exploitation.

Following the discovery, McCormick was brought before Birmingham Crown Court, where he faced multiple charges related to his possession and distribution of indecent images. He pleaded guilty to a serious sexual offence, which included two counts of indecent assault and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child. The court sentenced him to a term of seven years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

Subsequently, McCormick sought to challenge his sentence by applying to the Appeal Court, requesting an extension of time to file for leave to appeal. This application was made yesterday, but it was promptly denied by Lord Justice Auld. The judge emphasized that the severity of McCormick’s offences warranted a substantial prison term, stating, "Seven years is not out of range for such serious exploitation of young girls."

Lord Justice Auld also pointed out that there was no valid reason for the lengthy delay—specifically, a period of 21 months—before seeking permission to appeal. The refusal effectively upheld the original sentence, reaffirming the court’s stance on the seriousness of child exploitation crimes and the importance of swift justice in such cases.