MICHAEL MEGALAKAKIS SHERBURN VET SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN THE UK

In January 2021, a Greek veterinarian with ties to Sherburn was convicted of possessing and downloading highly disturbing and illegal images depicting child abuse. The individual, identified as Michael Megalakakis, had previously worked as a locum veterinarian in County Durham, North-East England, before the police investigation uncovered his involvement in this serious criminal activity.

Police officers visited Megalakakis’s former residence in Sherburn Village on January 24, 2019, during which they seized a hard drive and an AirBook computer. These devices contained a total of 74 indecent images of children, which had been collected over a period stretching from October 2013 up until the date of the police raid. The material was classified into various categories, with 34 images being moving pictures and six being static images, all of which fell into the most severe category of child exploitation material. The images predominantly featured young female children, most of whom were under the age of ten, with some as young as four years old.

During police interviews, Megalakakis denied any involvement in downloading or viewing the images. He claimed that although the devices were his, he did not look at child abuse images, asserting that his interest was limited to adult pornography. He insisted that he was only aroused by images of adult women and not children. Despite his denials, the evidence found on his devices was compelling.

In October of the previous year, Megalakakis maintained his innocence during a plea hearing, and a trial was scheduled for the following month. However, during a pre-trial hearing last week, it was indicated that he intended to change his plea to guilty. Subsequently, on Tuesday, he admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children.

At the age of 36, Megalakakis, who was described as having a previously good character, appeared via video link from his residence in Athens for sentencing. Prosecutor Paul Rooney presented a probation report, which revealed that Megalakakis had come to accept that he viewed some of the images for personal gratification, having used specific search terms to locate them.

Defense counsel Lewis Kerr emphasized that any court orders imposed would only be enforceable if Megalakakis returned to the UK. Judge James Adkin described the images as “utterly repugnant,” emphasizing their disturbing nature and the sexual abuse of children aged between four and fourteen. The judge sentenced Megalakakis to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period.

Additionally, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered that Megalakakis be subject to notification requirements as a sex offender for ten years. However, these restrictions and obligations are only applicable within the United Kingdom. Judge Adkin made it clear that if Megalakakis ever sets foot in the UK again, he must notify police of his UK address within three days. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all devices seized during the investigation, ensuring that the illegal material would no longer be accessible.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and underscores the serious legal consequences faced by individuals involved in such heinous activities, even when they are residing abroad.