GLOUCESTER DAD BLAINE FERGUSON SENTENCED OVER CHILD AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY
| Red Rose Database
Sheffield Child Sexual Abuser
In March 2014, a Gloucester man named Blaine Ferguson was discovered with indecent images and videos of children on his laptop following a police operation.
Ferguson, aged 26 and residing on Thrush Close in Abbeydale, pleaded guilty in court to eight charges related to child exploitation images and three charges involving extreme pornography.
Prosecutor Janine Wood described how officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary's internet investigations team raided Ferguson’s home on September 19 of the previous year and seized his computer.
The investigation uncovered 72 videos involving children, with 49 classified as level four material—only one level below the most severe, level five. Wood stated, "He knew exactly what those files would contain, but said he had only viewed a fraction of the material, which was in excess of 18 hours."
The court was informed that upcoming changes to the probation service, set for implementation in June, would complicate Ferguson’s ability to complete a sexual offenders program. From later this year, the service will only cater to high-risk offenders, while medium and low-risk offenders like Ferguson will be managed by a private firm.
During the hearing, Ferguson’s defense lawyer, George Threfall, expressed his client’s desire to undergo the necessary programs and seek help. Threfall stated, “This young man and his parents are keen he should take advantage (of it) and if anything he would give up work and get it done.”
He added, “In his meeting with probation he said ‘I need to do everything I can to improve myself as a person.’” Threfall explained that Ferguson had recently separated from his partner, started drinking, and became socially isolated, which contributed to his viewing more of this material. Remarkably, the lawyer highlighted that Ferguson was generally outgoing, sporty, competitive, and hard-working, with long-term friends being quite shocked by these actions.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC imposed a 36-month community order with supervision, mandated Ferguson to complete a 90-day program, and ordered him to pay £500 in costs along with a victim surcharge. Additionally, Ferguson is required to register as a sex offender for five years.
Ferguson, aged 26 and residing on Thrush Close in Abbeydale, pleaded guilty in court to eight charges related to child exploitation images and three charges involving extreme pornography.
Prosecutor Janine Wood described how officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary's internet investigations team raided Ferguson’s home on September 19 of the previous year and seized his computer.
The investigation uncovered 72 videos involving children, with 49 classified as level four material—only one level below the most severe, level five. Wood stated, "He knew exactly what those files would contain, but said he had only viewed a fraction of the material, which was in excess of 18 hours."
The court was informed that upcoming changes to the probation service, set for implementation in June, would complicate Ferguson’s ability to complete a sexual offenders program. From later this year, the service will only cater to high-risk offenders, while medium and low-risk offenders like Ferguson will be managed by a private firm.
During the hearing, Ferguson’s defense lawyer, George Threfall, expressed his client’s desire to undergo the necessary programs and seek help. Threfall stated, “This young man and his parents are keen he should take advantage (of it) and if anything he would give up work and get it done.”
He added, “In his meeting with probation he said ‘I need to do everything I can to improve myself as a person.’” Threfall explained that Ferguson had recently separated from his partner, started drinking, and became socially isolated, which contributed to his viewing more of this material. Remarkably, the lawyer highlighted that Ferguson was generally outgoing, sporty, competitive, and hard-working, with long-term friends being quite shocked by these actions.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC imposed a 36-month community order with supervision, mandated Ferguson to complete a 90-day program, and ordered him to pay £500 in costs along with a victim surcharge. Additionally, Ferguson is required to register as a sex offender for five years.