JONATHAN WARD OF HOVE JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN SCANDAL SHOCKING BRIGHTON AND HOVE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Brighton and Hove community, Jonathan Ward, a former social worker from Miles Walk, Hove, has been sentenced to prison for possessing and creating indecent images of children. The case came to light after authorities uncovered a significant collection of illicit material stored on Ward’s personal computers, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that spanned several years.

It was in 2018 that police first identified Ward’s involvement when they discovered more than 100 inappropriate images of children on his home computers. Ward, aged 47 at the time, had previously worked for the child protection unit at Brighton and Hove City Council from 1999 until 2015, before transferring his employment to Surrey County Council. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off that led officers to scrutinize his digital devices.

During the investigation, authorities seized two laptops from Ward’s residence, which contained numerous images classified in the most serious categories of child exploitation. Additionally, a carrier bag was found at his home containing girls’ underwear, along with a collection of pornographic DVDs, further illustrating the extent of his illicit activities. Ward later admitted to police that he was addicted to pornography, a confession that added context to his disturbing behavior.

In November 2018, Ward was brought before Hove Crown Court and received a seven-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. This meant he would not serve time immediately but would be under supervision and subject to certain restrictions. However, during this period, Ward violated the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which was designed to restrict his access to the internet. Despite the restrictions, he purchased a smartphone, which he used to access the web, thereby breaching the court’s order.

Further violations occurred when Ward failed to notify the court about a weekend trip to Scotland in August of the same year, breaching a notification order that required him to inform authorities of his whereabouts. These breaches prompted the court to impose a more severe penalty. Judge Jeremy Gold sentenced Ward to 12 months in prison for failing to adhere to the restrictions and notification requirements.

Monitoring software installed on Ward’s laptop also detected that he had searched for the word “suicide” online, raising concerns about his mental health and the potential risk he posed. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and managing individuals convicted of such serious offenses, especially when they attempt to circumvent restrictions.

Ward’s criminal activities and subsequent breaches of court orders have underscored the importance of vigilant oversight in cases involving child exploitation and sexual harm. His actions have not only led to his incarceration but have also sparked discussions about the adequacy of current measures to prevent reoffending and protect vulnerable children in the Brighton and Hove area and beyond.