June 2014
Images of child abuse and animal sex discovered on South Tyneside doctor’s computer
A DOCTOR from South Tyneside was caught with pornography on his computer showing images of child abuse and bestiality.
Kenneth Pollard told police “I like that sort of thing” after being confronted over his use of the illegal websites.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 60-year-old had accessed the outlawed material online, and his usage was tracked by investigators.
He had downloaded 1,000 illegal pictures and movies, rated as some of the worst categories of their types, including some dating from 2011 showing people having sex with animals and described as being of an extreme nature.
When officers went to his home in May last year, he pointed to his laptop computer and confessed to downloading illegal pornography, saying: “There is no point in denying it. The images are on there.
“I like that sort of thing. I have been doing it for about three years.”
Pollard’s address was given as Marsden Lane, Cleadon, when the case was committed to crown court by magistrates in South Tyneside, but this week, it was given as Hall Laws, Marshall, Merseyside.
He admitted possessing the illegal material.
Judge Simon Hickey gave Pollard a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with supervision and sex offender group work programme requirements.
The judge said it was only Pollard’s past service to the public that had saved him from being put behind bars.
Judge Hickey told him: “You are entitled, just this once, to draw on your impeccable character. It effectively saved you today.”
“Some say these are only images, but the fact remains that, without viewers, someone like you and others like you, this revolting trade cannot continue.”
Pollard will have to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
He must also comply with a sexual offences prevention order for five years.
Julian Smith, defending, had handed in a bundle of references testifying to Pollard’s previous good character to the court.
Mr Smith said: “He understands the predicament in which he finds himself.”
