RICHARD HAMMOND SENTENCED IN STOCKPORT AND KENT FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENSES

In a groundbreaking case, Richard Hammond, a 23-year-old resident of Scott Close, Stockport, has become one of the first individuals to be sentenced via a video link. Hammond was convicted of possessing indecent images of children, a serious offense that has garnered significant attention within the criminal justice system.

Although he was scheduled to appear physically at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Hammond was instead treated at a secure mental health facility located in Kent. The court proceedings took place remotely, with Hammond appearing via video link at Maidstone Crown Court, where Judge Stuart Fish presided over the sentencing in Manchester.

Hammond’s case is particularly notable not only because of the nature of his crimes but also due to the innovative use of technology in the judicial process. The defendant was ordered to be detained in a secure mental hospital, reflecting concerns about his mental state and the severity of his offenses.

In addition to his detention, Hammond received a lifetime ban from working with children and was mandated to register as a sex offender on the Sex Offenders’ Register. These measures aim to prevent any future risk to children and to monitor his activities closely.

The origins of Hammond’s arrest trace back to November 2003, when police were alerted after his mother discovered a suicide note from him. She promptly contacted law enforcement authorities. Prosecutor Maurice Greene explained that the note expressed Hammond’s disturbing desire to abuse young girls, which prompted police intervention.

When officers arrived at Hammond’s residence, he admitted to purchasing cable with the intent to hang himself but claimed he was unable to go through with the act. During the investigation, police uncovered evidence of his disturbing online activity, including downloaded images of young girls from the internet stored on his personal computer. Hammond also confessed to downloading indecent images using the university’s computers, as he was a chemistry undergraduate at Manchester’s UMIST University.

Further disturbing evidence was found in Hammond’s room, where police discovered a typed fantasy involving the rape of a young girl. This collection of evidence painted a troubling picture of Hammond’s mental state and his intentions, leading to his subsequent arrest and prosecution. His case underscores ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of mental health considerations in criminal sentencing.