STEPHEN MCGARRY FROM HOVE SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN SUSSEX

In a case that has drawn significant attention from law enforcement and the local community, Stephen McGarry, a 59-year-old resident of Hove, was found guilty of possessing a collection of indecent images depicting children. The conviction was handed down at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, 28 February, following a thorough investigation by Sussex Police's Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT).

McGarry, who resides on Sherbourne Close in Hove, was sentenced to a term of 12 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years. This means that he will not serve time immediately unless he commits another offence within the suspension period. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade, a requirement that imposes strict monitoring and reporting obligations.

Furthermore, the court imposed a Sexual Offence Prevention Order (SOPO) that will remain in effect for ten years. This order restricts McGarry’s access to children, as well as to photographic and recording equipment, and computers, aiming to prevent any potential reoffending or access to illegal material.

The charges against McGarry stemmed from an investigation that uncovered his possession of a total of 50 indecent images of children. Among these images, four were classified at 'Level 5,' which is considered the most severe category, indicating the highest level of harm and explicitness. While there was no evidence linking these images to local children or suggesting that any children in the area were at immediate risk, Detective Constable Helen Curtis emphasized that every such image constitutes a criminal offence against a child. She stated, “Although there was no evidence that any of the images related to local children, or that any local children were at risk, every such image is by definition an offence against a child and we always aim to follow up information of this type of offending.”

It was also revealed during the court proceedings that McGarry had a prior criminal history involving eight offences of indecent assault and gross indecency committed against boys under the age of 16, spanning from 1970 to 1995. This history underscores the seriousness of his current conviction and the ongoing concerns about his conduct.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Sussex Police to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from harm. Authorities continue to monitor and investigate such offences rigorously, emphasizing that possession of indecent images remains a grave criminal offence with severe legal consequences.