JOSEPH RILEY FROM DIGMOOR STRIKES AGAIN IN PRESTON AND SKELMERSDALE WITH CHILD PORN OFFENCES

In September 2020, a serious legal case unfolded involving Joseph Riley, a 77-year-old man residing in Preston, who faced court proceedings after failing to disclose electronic devices capable of accessing the internet during police investigations. Riley, who had previously been convicted for possessing child abuse images, moved to accommodation on Great Shaw Street in Preston following his eviction from a council flat in Skelmersdale in 2017. This eviction was a direct consequence of his prior criminal convictions related to indecent images of children.

Prosecutor Beth Pilling outlined that on August 3, 2019, Riley deliberately did not inform police about a device capable of internet access, breaching a sexual harm prevention order issued by Liverpool Crown Court in May 2016. This order was part of the conditions Riley was required to follow after his earlier conviction. The court heard that Riley was also charged with a similar offence on October 25, 2019, when he failed to disclose another device capable of storing digital images.

During police visits, officers routinely asked Riley to hand over his electronic devices. On the first occasion, Riley submitted a phone that contained a pornographic image—taken from a television screen—that did not involve children. When officers inquired about a smart TV in his property, which was capable of internet access, Riley did not disclose it. On the second visit, Riley handed over a phone, a laptop, and a hard drive, which were examined and found to contain no illicit material. However, he failed to disclose a Fuji camera capable of storing digital images, which was a breach of the court orders.

Riley’s criminal history is extensive, including convictions for four counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing an indecent photograph of a child. All images were classified as Category A, the most serious category under law. His previous sentence included eight months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, along with a two-year supervision order and mandatory attendance at a sexual offenders' programme. Additionally, he was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. Last year, Riley received a further six-month suspended sentence for possessing additional indecent images.

In a recent court appearance, Judge Beverly Lunt imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, acknowledging that Riley’s breach was of a low level. The judge remarked, “This was stupid Mr Riley, it really was stupid — there was nothing on any of this, you could have shown them everything.” She emphasized that all previous orders still applied and warned Riley of the seriousness of his violations. Riley responded with a mumble, saying, “I’ve learned my lesson, thank you.”

Earlier, in June 2017, Riley’s criminal activities led to his eviction from a council-managed sheltered housing flat in Skelmersdale. West Lancashire Council invoked new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to remove Riley from his residence at Beechwood Court, Birkrig, Digmoor, after his conviction for child pornography offences. The court in Wigan County heard that Riley had been convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of four counts of making indecent images or pseudo-photographs of children and one count of possessing such images. All images were classified as Level A, the highest severity.

Following his conviction, Riley was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and was placed under a two-year supervision order. He was also ordered to attend an internet sexual offending programme. The court granted a five-year sexual harm prevention order, a 10-year sex offenders' notification requirement, and ordered the forfeiture of all his computer equipment. The seriousness of his offences provided the council with grounds to seek possession of his flat under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The court approved the eviction, and Riley handed back the keys on May 26, 2017, after the court had granted possession on May 22.

Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey, the council’s director of housing and inclusion, stated, “As a landlord, the council simply will not tolerate tenants committing crimes in our properties. The council has a variety of powers available to evict tenants convicted of criminal offences, and we will choose the most effective method in each case. The council has a responsibility to protect its tenants and their guests, who in this case were often young children as well as others living in the community. Seeking possession under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 confirms the seriousness of the situation.”