ANDREW DAVIES FROM CHERRY BURTON AND HESSLE JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Cherry Burton and Hessle, Andrew Davies, a 51-year-old man with ties to both locations, has been sentenced to three months in prison after admitting to possessing an extensive collection of child pornography. The court proceedings revealed that Davies had accumulated a staggering total of 52,200 images, some of which were stored in unconventional places such as under loft insulation in his home.

Andrew Davies, who previously served as a school governor at Cherry Burton Primary School, was also the chairman of the governing body during his tenure. His involvement with the school spanned from November 2002 until November 2006, and he was cleared through a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check in May 2006. Despite his role in the educational community, his personal conduct has now come under severe legal scrutiny.

The court heard that Davies, who was married and a father of two, admitted that he had developed an 'utter addiction' to child pornography. His online activities reportedly began after he retired early from the Royal Navy, which left him with an abundance of free time. According to court records, Davies engaged in internet surfing to indulge his compulsions, even creating a rating system to categorize his own sexual preferences.

He formerly resided in Cherry Burton but used an address in the Foreshore area of Hessle. The charges against him included seven counts of making indecent images of children, which he admitted, covering the period from September 20, 2006, to September 26, 2007. Additionally, he faced a charge of possession of the vast collection of images, which police discovered after executing a search warrant at his home on March 5, 2008. During the raid, authorities found evidence of his online activities, including the use of his credit card to purchase adult content from the United States.

Following his guilty plea, Davies appeared in Hull Crown Court for sentencing. His case has garnered significant attention due to his previous role in the community and the shocking nature of his offenses. The court's decision underscores the serious consequences of such criminal behavior, especially involving the exploitation of children and the possession of illicit material. His actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also to a broader reflection on safeguarding and the responsibilities of those in positions of trust within educational institutions.