STEPHEN BARRY FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET SENTENCED TO MENTAL HEALTH ORDER OVER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Stephen Victor Barry, aged 47, has been subjected to a mental health hospital order after admitting to serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The proceedings took place at Durham Crown Court in April, where Barry pleaded guilty to 17 charges concerning the downloading and storage of such illicit material.

The charges stemmed from a total of 132 images, predominantly classified within the most severe category of child exploitation imagery. These images were discovered during an investigation that initially involved the Metropolitan Police, who uncovered suspicious websites in 2007. This investigation eventually led to a search of Barry’s residence in Derbyshire, where authorities seized two laptops for further examination.

Prosecutor Chris Baker detailed that among the material recovered from one of the laptops were indecent images of children, along with extreme animal pornography. Despite the gravity of these findings, Barry was not immediately arrested or interviewed at that time, due to what was described as “human error” and a backlog of similar cases faced by Derbyshire Police. The court heard that this procedural lapse was acknowledged, and assurances were given that future systems would be improved to prevent such oversights.

Further developments occurred when Barry moved to Chester-le-Street, a town in County Durham. Durham Police became involved after concerns arose regarding his mental health and potential self-harm risks. During medical assessments, Barry disclosed an interest in children, which was subsequently reported to the police. He expressed fears that, after consuming alcohol, he might leave his accommodation with the intent to commit sexual offences.

Barry was candid during police interviews, admitting to downloading the indecent images onto his laptop at his former family home in Derbyshire. He revealed that he sought out images of females aged six to eight, which he claimed aroused him sexually, and that he engaged in this behavior daily. The court was also informed that Barry had a fixation on a particular young girl, whom he named during interviews.

At the time of sentencing, Barry was residing at West Park Hospital in Darlington. His criminal record includes 33 convictions for 67 offences, notably including an incident of indecent exposure at a bus stop in 2010. Medical and psychiatric evaluations indicated that Barry suffers from an organic personality disorder, a recognized mental health condition.

Judge Christopher Prince remarked on Barry’s unusual efforts to seek help from health services, noting that he had actively approached medical professionals to disclose his sexual preoccupations with children. The judge expressed concern over the combination of this disorder and alcohol misuse, which exacerbated the risk he posed.

Ultimately, Judge Prince imposed a mental health order requiring Barry to remain under psychiatric care until further notice. This order aims to ensure that Barry receives appropriate treatment and monitoring, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the underlying mental health issues involved.