ALAN GORMAN FROM YEOVIL ESCAPES IMMEDIATE PRISON SENTENCE OVER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN YEOVIL AND TAUNTON

In June 2016, a man named Alan Gorman, aged 59, residing in Penn Hill, Yeovil, faced serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of minors. His case was brought to light after an American organization alerted UK authorities in January 2014, prompting a police investigation that would span over a year.

In January of the following year, police officers executed a search at Gorman’s residence, seizing three mobile phones. The investigation revealed a disturbing collection of digital material, including approximately 1,500 indecent images and nearly 3,000 borderline images. The court was informed that the images primarily depicted young teenage boys, but some were as young as six to eight years old. Gorman admitted to viewing these images over a period of several years, which indicated a long-standing and troubling pattern of behavior.

Prosecutor Simon Cooper detailed the severity of the material found, emphasizing that many of the images were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious level of child exploitation material. Gorman’s full admissions during police interviews confirmed his engagement with these illicit images, which he had accessed freely and with relative ease due to the availability of such material online.

During the court proceedings, Gorman’s defense lawyer, Patrick Mason, provided context about his client’s background. Mason explained that Gorman had spent ten years working in a children’s home before joining the Royal Navy after leaving school. His naval career lasted 14 years, during which he traveled extensively, visiting 97 countries. After leaving the service, Gorman worked as a manager for a large retail chain and led a quiet, solitary life. Mason also highlighted Gorman’s health issues, including artery problems stemming from many years of smoking.

The judge presiding over the case acknowledged the complexity of Gorman’s situation. It was noted that incarceration in a typical prison environment would likely be unhelpful, especially since Gorman’s issues were linked to mental health and addiction rather than violent tendencies. The court recognized that the images Gorman viewed were easily accessible online, which contributed to his ongoing addiction and the potential harm to victims depicted in the images.

Instead of immediate imprisonment, the judge sentenced Gorman to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, with strict supervision and conditions. The court emphasized the importance of attempting to address and potentially cure his addiction, stating that if the probation service believed rehabilitation was possible, it was worth pursuing. The judge also stressed the importance of understanding that the victims in the images had been exploited by others, and that Gorman’s viewing of these images increased the risk of further harm to children.

Furthermore, Gorman was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and was issued a sexual harm prevention order that prohibited him from accessing the internet. The court’s decision aimed to balance the need for punishment with the possibility of rehabilitation, recognizing the serious nature of the offenses and the importance of preventing future harm.