A judge had to stop sentencing a paedophile after he realised he knew him and did not want to prejudice the case. Christopher Jeacock, 37, of Bowdon, had earlier pleaded guilty to the making of indecent images of children, possession of a prohibited image of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image.
Judge Mark Savill stopped the proceedings at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday and claimed the name had ‘rung a bell’. After confirming that Jeacock worked for Hale United FC, he stated he could not continue sentencing him.
Judge Savill said: “I can’t do this case. It’s not your fault - very unfortunate but it’s one of the prices we pay for local justice. Bottom line is there cannot appear to be any kind of prejudice or advantage to you by virtue of any connection you or I may have.’’
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The case was then adjourned to be dealt with by another judge. Katherine Wright, prosecuting, said that officers from Greater Manchester Police became aware that a social media account linked to Jeacock had been used to post indecent images online.
A warrant was executed at his home, which he shared with his parents, and he was arrested and his devices were searched. Whilst the police were searching his bedroom, he told them that his parents had ‘nothing to do with this' and he knew nothing about the images of children.
Officers seized an iPad and two iPhones. He was interviewed that same day on March 25 of last year and admitted it was likely that he had viewed the images.
“He said he had used the Kik messenger site to enter chat groups where images were shared and he had clicked on Dropbox links which automatically downloaded into his personal Dropbox,” Ms Wright said.
“He stated he knew they were illegal material and should have done something about them. He accepted the devices were his and he was solely responsible for its contents.”
A search of the iPad revealed 16 category A images, 10 category B images and 15 category C images, which were all inaccessible. On one iPhone there were seven inaccessible category C images, and on the other there were two accessible category C images and five inaccessible category C images.
The police also analysed Jeacock’s Dropbox account, which revealed 113 category A images, 75 category C images and 1,044 category C images. In total, 1,900 images were recovered.
The court heard that the videos depicted children as young as three being sexually abused by adults and one of the extreme pornographic videos showed a man having sex with a dog. Folders in the Dropbox were named indicating that they contained the indecent images.
In a further police interview, he gave a prepared statement in which he accepted the devices belonged to him. He said that since his arrest in 2021 he has made a conscious effort to address his offending and ensure it does not recur.
“I have received support from my GP, the Greater Manchester Mental Health team, and I have discussed my mental health with my family and friends who have both been very supportive,” he said in the statement. He added that he had undertaken worked with the Safer Lives programme, which is designed to assist sex offenders.
“From March 2020 my mental health deteriorated, my business shut down and created financial issues and the loss of social involvement led me to feeling alone,” the statement read.
“I was worried about my partner's problems and I became isolated. This led me to sit on the computer where I became involved in group chats. I am truly devastated by my behaviour and genuinely remorseful for my actions.”
Jeacock was said to have one unrelated previous conviction. His barrister, James Heyworth said his client does not have face-to-face contact with children and said it was possible for the devices to be wiped.
Sentencing, Recorder Ciaran Rankin said he had read a letter from Jeacock, his mother, the Safer Lives Programme note of attendance and his presentence report. “You have accepted that you are responsible,” he said.
Jeacock, of Royal Gardens, Bowdon, was handed a three year community order, 200 hours unpaid work, 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and an Accreddited Sex Offender Programme. He was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the Sex Offenders Register, both for five years.
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