A 57-year-old Stoke-on-Trent man who shared indecent photographs of a child online—and was reported to police by his own wife after she discovered the images—has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Neil Sheppard, aged 57 and residing at Chetwynd Street, Smallthorne, appeared in the dock for sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court having pleaded guilty to making and distributing indecent photographs of a child.
The court heard that Staffordshire Police were alerted by Sheppard’s wife after she found the indecent images, leading officers to arrest him at his mother’s address.
Mitigating on Sheppard’s behalf, Jonathon Duffy stated that the defendant had faced difficulties in his life including suffering a brain injury at a young age, which has affected his memory and learning ability throughout his life, adding: “He accepts without reservation that it was wrong.”
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 and statutory UK child protection legislation, any child depicted in indecent material is protected by mandatory, lifelong statutory anonymity from the moment an allegation is made. Any publication, broadcast, or public dissemination of information capable of leading to their identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Passing sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Recorder Julian Taylor told Sheppard:
“I have, after some reflection on this, decided that the sentence can be suspended because I think it would serve you and the wider community less of a risk in the future if you are under the guidance of the probation service. But please bear in mind if you commit any other offences you will go to prison and if they are of this nature you will go for a long time. I’m giving you a chance here. A lot of people may think you should go to prison now but I think the probation service will assist you and the wider society better by being able to engage with you.”
Recorder Taylor sentenced Sheppard to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, alongside making him subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordering him to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the next 10 years.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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