JOHNATHAN MILNES FROM DERBYSHIRE LOSSES MARRIAGE AND JOB AFTER BEING CAUGHT WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE PHOTOS

In August 2017, a man from Derbyshire, Jonathan Milnes, faced severe consequences after authorities uncovered child sex abuse images on his computer, resulting in the loss of his marriage and employment.

Police investigators found disturbing photographs featuring children as young as six when they examined Milne's electronic device. The court was informed that the 35-year-old, of Ashbourne, had been receiving these images as early as 2009 while accessing chat rooms online.

It was revealed that Milne’s failure to delete these images allowed undercover officers to identify him as the person in possession of the illicit material, the Derby Crown Court heard.

Recorder Sally Hancox sentenced Milne to a two-year community order, stating: "There were only seven images but, just because there were only seven images, it does not lessen the impact on the children in them. Some people refer to these images as child pornography. It is absolutely not."

She continued, emphasizing the severity: "It is child sexual abuse and these are children that are suffering sexual abuse and who knows what pain and suffering befell them before or after these photographs were taken."

Addressing Milne’s attempts to hide his offending, the judge noted: "You sought to hide your offending from your family, your friends, your employers and the police. Now you have lost your job, your family and your contact with your son will be limited. All of this you have brought on yourself."

Warning against the dangers of the internet, the judge added: "People think the internet gives them a second life where they can do what they want. But there are people working hard behind the scenes searching for people who seek out images of child sex abuse."

Prosecutor Jeremy Janes stated that Derbyshire police executed a warrant at Milne’s address on Forge Close, Repton, on March 24, 2016. During the investigation, it was discovered that Milne had been discussing "paedophilic interests" while logged into chat rooms and had received the seven category C images from other online contacts.

Mr. Janes explained, "The crown accepts this is not a case where hundreds or thousands of images were found as this court often sees."

Milne, of Blore Close, initially denied possessing the images but eventually pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children before the trial commenced. Defense lawyer Dan Church highlighted that Milne had no prior convictions and was living at his parents’ home in Ashbourne.

He described Milne’s situation: "This is not a case where he has actively searched for these images. They were sent to him during chat room conversations. As a natural consequence of his offending, he has suffered."

Church added that Milne married in 2010 and has a five-year-old son, but his marriage has since ended. Since the discovery of his offending, Milne has also lost his 12-year-long employment. He was noted to have a lawful pornography habit involving adults and is now seeking help for his addiction.

In addition to the community order, Recorder Hancox issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order, mandated that Milne register as a sex offender for ten years, and ordered him to attend a 30-session intensive sex offender rehabilitation program.