MICHAEL O’HARE FROM CULLOMPTON AND EXETER ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE REPEATED CHILD PORN OFFENSES

In a case that has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the challenges of dealing with repeat offenders, Michael O’Hare, a 61-year-old man with multiple sclerosis, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after being convicted of possessing indecent images of children for the third time. The incident took place in Exeter, where O’Hare resides on Butts Road, but he has also been linked to Cullompton, specifically the area of Ashill.

According to court records, O’Hare admitted to three separate charges of creating and possessing indecent images of minors. The Exeter Crown Court heard that his actions were motivated by boredom, as he was unable to leave his home due to his health condition. His case drew attention not only because of the nature of his offenses but also because of his long history of similar convictions, dating back to 2001 and 2007.

Judge Erik Salomonsen delivered the verdict, sentencing O’Hare to six months in prison, but with the sentence suspended for two years. This means that O’Hare will not serve time immediately, provided he complies with certain conditions set by the court. Additionally, he admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which was subsequently reinforced with another order to prevent further offenses.

The judge expressed concern over O’Hare’s apparent predilection for viewing images of young girls, describing it as a troubling pattern. During the proceedings, it was revealed that police, during a routine check to verify O’Hare’s compliance with the SOPO, discovered nearly 600 images stored on his devices. Some of these images had been downloaded just a few months prior to the arrest, indicating ongoing activity despite previous convictions.

In mitigation, O’Hare’s legal representative, David Sapiecha, argued that his client was living a “very sad life” and was now engaged in work with a charity dedicated to helping offenders overcome their problematic interests in images of children. The court was also informed that the images found were classified as level one, the lowest of five levels of seriousness, which the judge noted could suggest that O’Hare was attempting to resist temptation.

Judge Salomonsen, after reviewing a medical report on O’Hare’s health, decided that there was “no useful purpose” in sending him to prison at this time. Nonetheless, he issued a stern warning that if O’Hare were to be brought back before the court within the next two years, he would almost certainly face jail time. The judge’s decision underscores the delicate balance courts often face when dealing with offenders who have health issues but pose ongoing risks to the community.