PHILIP ARCHER FROM NORTON INVOLVED IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL AT TEESSIDE COURT

In August 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Philip Archer, a 47-year-old resident of Norton, near Stockton, who was found to have engaged in viewing and sharing images of child abuse. The court proceedings revealed that Archer had been drawn into a chatroom by an unidentified male user, who initially presented the content as 'normal porn.'

As the conversation progressed, the images displayed shifted from adult pornography to increasingly disturbing photographs depicting children as young as three years old being subjected to abuse. Archer admitted that he continued to view and share these illicit images until he was eventually expelled from the social media platform for violating its rules. During police interviews, Archer claimed that his interest was driven by curiosity rather than sexual attraction, asserting, 'I didn’t want to be watching that s***. I have grandchildren of a similar age.'

Prosecutor Richard Bennett detailed the court proceedings, explaining that Archer had been invited into the chatroom by a male participant he did not know personally, who encouraged him to 'come in and have a laugh with us.' Initially, Archer believed he was viewing standard pornography, but he was later shown more explicit and disturbing images, which he described as 'a bit naughty' and felt intrigued by, despite recognizing the moral wrongness of such content because of his grandchildren.

He further stated that some images made him feel physically ill and prompted him to question how such acts could be committed, reflecting his internal conflict. Archer admitted that he became 'hooked' on viewing these images but claimed that he only stopped after being removed from the social media site. He described the moment of removal as a relief.

On November 30, police executed a search warrant at Archer’s home in Norton. During the search, they seized a mobile phone containing three indecent images and three prohibited images of children. The court heard that Archer’s actions had serious implications, though his defense argued that he had provided more information than necessary during police interviews, which could not all be substantiated.

Mitigating counsel Duncan McReddie emphasized Archer’s employment status, stating that he held a responsible full-time position, and his employer was aware of the situation. McReddie assured the court that Archer’s job was secure, which was vital for supporting his family.

Ultimately, Archer pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. The court sentenced him to 14 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months, allowing him to avoid immediate incarceration while under supervision and probation. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in monitoring digital activity, especially among individuals in the community of Norton and the wider Stockton area.