ANTHONY EMMERSON FROM HAVERCORFT CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN WAKEFIELD
| Red Rose Database
Havercorft Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community, Anthony Emmerson, aged 43 and residing in Havercorft, was found to be in possession of over 1,000 indecent images of children on electronic devices at his home in Wakefield. The police action and subsequent court proceedings have brought to light disturbing details about the extent of his illegal activities and his attempts to deflect blame onto others.
On January 8 of the previous year, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Emmerson’s residence on Hillcrest, Havercorft. During the raid, they confiscated a laptop, a mobile phone, and two external hard drives. The investigation was initiated after authorities received credible information indicating that Emmerson had paid to access a website hosting illegal indecent images of minors. This tip-off prompted a thorough search of his property and the seizure of digital evidence.
Following the seizure, Emmerson contacted the police two days later, expressing a desire to 'get something off his chest.' During this communication, he admitted that he had been taking antidepressants, which he claimed had led him to browse the internet and view the illicit images. Importantly, he maintained that he did not have a sexual interest in children, attempting to mitigate his culpability. However, forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed that Emmerson had accessed a total of 1,199 indecent images. The court was informed that among these, 53 images were classified as level four, and five were categorized as level five, which are considered the most serious types of illegal content.
In August of the same year, police interviewed Emmerson regarding the images. During the interview, he denied any responsibility for possessing or viewing the images. He claimed that the laptop had previously belonged to his brother and nephew, suggesting that he was not the original owner. Additionally, Emmerson named a friend who had previously accessed the computer and another individual who had installed an operating system on the device for him. He also stated that his children and partner had used the computer regularly. When questioned about his earlier admission to police, Emmerson claimed he had no recollection of making such statements and suggested that the record of the conversation might have been altered.
Throughout the investigation, police also spoke with Emmerson’s relatives and friends to gather further information. Ultimately, Emmerson pleaded guilty to 21 charges related to the making and possession of indecent images of children. His defense lawyer, Stephen Smithson, explained that Emmerson had been taking medication to treat a bone disease, which had side effects leading him to use illegal Class A drugs. Mr. Smithson emphasized that this medication and substance abuse had significantly impacted his client’s judgment and behavior, stating, “That is when boundaries disappeared and we can see that his personal life in every aspect – health, work and family relationships – led him to eventually behave in the way that he has.”
In sentencing, Judge Penelope Belcher imposed a three-year community order on Emmerson. As part of this order, he is required to attend a sex offender treatment program. The judge also addressed Emmerson’s attempts to shift blame, remarking, “You purported to point the finger at others. You denied responsibility. Plainly at the time you could not face up to what you had done.” The case underscores the serious nature of the offenses and the importance of accountability in such disturbing cases.
On January 8 of the previous year, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Emmerson’s residence on Hillcrest, Havercorft. During the raid, they confiscated a laptop, a mobile phone, and two external hard drives. The investigation was initiated after authorities received credible information indicating that Emmerson had paid to access a website hosting illegal indecent images of minors. This tip-off prompted a thorough search of his property and the seizure of digital evidence.
Following the seizure, Emmerson contacted the police two days later, expressing a desire to 'get something off his chest.' During this communication, he admitted that he had been taking antidepressants, which he claimed had led him to browse the internet and view the illicit images. Importantly, he maintained that he did not have a sexual interest in children, attempting to mitigate his culpability. However, forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed that Emmerson had accessed a total of 1,199 indecent images. The court was informed that among these, 53 images were classified as level four, and five were categorized as level five, which are considered the most serious types of illegal content.
In August of the same year, police interviewed Emmerson regarding the images. During the interview, he denied any responsibility for possessing or viewing the images. He claimed that the laptop had previously belonged to his brother and nephew, suggesting that he was not the original owner. Additionally, Emmerson named a friend who had previously accessed the computer and another individual who had installed an operating system on the device for him. He also stated that his children and partner had used the computer regularly. When questioned about his earlier admission to police, Emmerson claimed he had no recollection of making such statements and suggested that the record of the conversation might have been altered.
Throughout the investigation, police also spoke with Emmerson’s relatives and friends to gather further information. Ultimately, Emmerson pleaded guilty to 21 charges related to the making and possession of indecent images of children. His defense lawyer, Stephen Smithson, explained that Emmerson had been taking medication to treat a bone disease, which had side effects leading him to use illegal Class A drugs. Mr. Smithson emphasized that this medication and substance abuse had significantly impacted his client’s judgment and behavior, stating, “That is when boundaries disappeared and we can see that his personal life in every aspect – health, work and family relationships – led him to eventually behave in the way that he has.”
In sentencing, Judge Penelope Belcher imposed a three-year community order on Emmerson. As part of this order, he is required to attend a sex offender treatment program. The judge also addressed Emmerson’s attempts to shift blame, remarking, “You purported to point the finger at others. You denied responsibility. Plainly at the time you could not face up to what you had done.” The case underscores the serious nature of the offenses and the importance of accountability in such disturbing cases.