KEN STAMP CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN SNARESBROOK AND ILFORD

In March 2007, a significant case involving Ken Stamp, a former educator from Snaresbrook, drew considerable attention from the local community and legal authorities. The incident centered around allegations that he had downloaded a series of indecent images depicting children, raising serious concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of educators.

Ken Stamp, aged 44 and residing at Forest Court in Snaresbrook, faced charges related to the possession of 13 indecent images of children, totaling 22 pictures. These images were discovered during a police investigation into his activities. In February of that year, Stamp changed his plea to guilty, admitting to the charges. Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court proceedings revealed that the images in question were classified as pseudo photographs, meaning they did not involve actual children being exploited.

During a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, it was explained that the images did not depict real children being harmed or exploited, which influenced the court’s decision regarding sentencing. The court was informed that Stamp, who had previously served as a teacher at Woodlands Junior School in Ilford, would not face imprisonment. Instead, the court decided that he would be subjected to a series of rehabilitative and supervisory measures. These included mandatory attendance at a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program, a supervised movement order for three years, and registration on the sex offenders’ register for a minimum period of ten years.

Judge Simon Wilkinson articulated the rationale behind the decision, stating, “On February 15 you pleaded guilty to 11 counts of holding indecent pseudo photographs of children. I do not intend to impose a prison sentence for these reasons. First of all, you are 44 years of age and are of previous good character. Secondly, you have pleaded guilty, and thirdly, the images which are the subject of this indictment are pseudo pictures and therefore are not involved with the direct exploitation of children.”

It was also noted that Stamp was found not guilty on two remaining charges. His professional background included serving as deputy headteacher at Woodlands Junior School in Loxford Lane, Ilford, from January 2001 until March 2005. After leaving that position, he became head teacher at Northbury Junior School in North Street, Barking, starting April 4, 2005. However, police investigations soon uncovered additional evidence. When his successor at Woodlands Junior School used his old computer, she discovered irregularities, and upon further inspection by her husband, it was revealed that the machine had been used to download child pornography.

Subsequently, police actions intensified, leading to the discovery of more illicit material stored on CD-ROMs at Stamp’s residence and on a computer he was using at his new school in Barking. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about the safeguarding of children and the importance of vigilance among educators and school authorities in preventing such breaches of trust.