NEIL MORGAN FROM RINGMER ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Ringmer, Neil Morgan, a 58-year-old man with a long-standing history of public service, was recently convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children. Despite the gravity of the charges, Morgan was spared a custodial sentence during his appearance at Guildford Crown Court.

Neil Morgan, who had previously served as a magistrate for 13 years and was also recognized with an MBE for his charitable contributions, faced serious allegations related to child pornography. The court proceedings revealed that Morgan had downloaded hundreds of explicit images involving minors from the internet, with the incident occurring in November 2001. The court found that Morgan’s computer hard drive contained over 2,000 images, including 370 classified as child pornography, following a police raid on his semi-detached residence located on North Road, near the village green in Ringmer, close to Lewes.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered that Morgan had actively searched for content using terms such as 'Young Gay Boys' and 'Dutch Boys' on various internet search engines. Despite the disturbing nature of these findings, there was no evidence presented to suggest that Morgan intended to distribute the images he had collected.

Morgan, who had a notable career working closely with children and families, denied the allegations, claiming that his daughter’s boyfriend had visited child sex sites, which he suggested might have led to the incriminating material on his computer. Throughout the trial, Morgan called several character witnesses to testify on his behalf, including Peter Field, the Vice-Lieutenant of East Sussex, along with a former police officer, a deputy headteacher, and a vicar, all of whom spoke positively about his character.

At the sentencing hearing, Morgan was given a community punishment order requiring him to complete 75 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. The court also mandated that Morgan pay costs amounting to £5,000. The judge, John Crocker, emphasized the importance of community safety and the seriousness of the offense, but ultimately decided against imposing a custodial sentence, considering Morgan’s previous contributions and standing within the community.

During the proceedings, Morgan’s defense argued that a jail sentence would be inappropriate given his respected position in society and his lifelong dedication to charitable work. His past roles included working as a carer at a boys’ home in Buckinghamshire, establishing a youth club in his village, volunteering as a lifeguard, and serving as a director at Knowles Tooth Children’s Centre in Hurstpierpoint during the 1970s.

Despite the leniency shown in sentencing, the case has left a lasting impact on the community of Ringmer, raising questions about the balance between rehabilitation and justice in cases involving individuals with otherwise commendable histories.