MICHAEL HANLON FROM SEAFORD CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORN AT LEGAL AND GENERAL IN HOVE

In September 2008, a disturbing incident unfolded at the offices of Legal and General in Hove, involving a staff member named Michael Hanlon, aged 44, from Seaford. Colleagues working at the insurance giant were left horrified after they observed Hanlon engaging in inappropriate activity on his work computer. Specifically, they noticed him viewing and seemingly fixated on an image of a naked six-year-old girl, which appeared on his screen amidst smaller images from an online website. The colleagues, alarmed by this behavior, promptly reported their concerns to the company's management.

Following the report, the company's authorities launched an immediate investigation. As part of the disciplinary process, Hanlon was dismissed from his position for improper use of company equipment. The incident did not end there; police were also notified of the situation. A subsequent search of Hanlon’s residence in Seaford revealed further troubling evidence. Detectives uncovered two DVDs, titled 'Ukrainian Angels' and 'Angels of the Cinema,' both containing indecent images of young girls. Hanlon admitted to purchasing these DVDs online for 38 US dollars, claiming he believed the material was legal because the website indicated it was registered with the Norwegian board of classification.

Legal proceedings took place at Lewes Crown Court, where Hanlon, who was unemployed at the time, faced charges related to possession of indecent photographs of children. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing such material. The court heard that Hanlon was living with his mother on Hythe Crescent in Seaford at the time of his arrest. Judge Richard Hayward sentenced him to 39 weeks in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, Hanlon was ordered to participate in a sex offenders treatment program and to be under supervision by the probation service for a period of 18 months. The court also disqualified him from working with children and mandated that he sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Judge Hayward emphasized the gravity of Hanlon’s actions, stating, 'The abuse and exploitation of children is a huge and very serious problem and is an evil encouraged by people like you who wish to view this kind of material.' The case highlights the ongoing concerns about the possession and distribution of child pornography, and the importance of vigilance in the workplace and community to prevent such heinous crimes.