PHILIP HAWKINS FROM STEPNEY FACES CHILD ABUSE IMAGES CHARGES IN SNARESBROOK COURT
In August 2013, a significant legal development occurred at Snaresbrook Crown Court involving Philip Hawkins, a resident of Stepney, who is facing serious charges related to child abuse images.The case took an unusual turn due to the presence of a blind judge presiding over the proceedings.
Judge John Lafferty, Britain’s first full-time blind circuit judge, was unable to view the video evidence in the case, which was crucial for determining the severity of the images.
As a result, he decided to adjourn the sentencing to allow a fully sighted colleague to review the material and make an informed judgment.
Judge Lafferty explicitly stated, “I am happy to allow a judge who can more aptly see the video to pass sentence and decide which category this falls into.” Philip Hawkins, aged 63 and hailing from Stepney, faces potential imprisonment of up to four years depending on the final verdict.
The court revealed that Hawkins has a long history of convictions dating back to the 1980s, including charges of child abduction, taking indecent photographs of children, and engaging in sexual activities with a minor.
These prior convictions paint a troubling picture of his criminal background.
Five years prior to the current case, Hawkins was found guilty of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old boy at a swimming pool.
Following this conviction, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was subjected to strict conditions, including a prohibition on viewing child abuse images.
Despite these restrictions, Hawkins was found to have breached his conditions in January when police discovered a video on his computer depicting a woman and a boy engaged in sexual activity.
The court has scheduled Hawkins’ sentencing for the following month, where another judge will determine his fate based on the evidence and circumstances of the case.
The proceedings highlight ongoing concerns about repeat offenders and the challenges faced by the justice system in handling cases involving child exploitation and abuse.
