BRIAN CONNOR FROM CO LONDONDERRY AND KNOCKLOUGHRIM JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a significant case that has shocked the local communities of Co Londonderry and Knockloughrim, Brian Connor, a former police officer, was sentenced to six months in prison after admitting to possessing a large collection of indecent images of children. The sentencing took place at Londonderry Crown Court, where Connor, aged 46 and residing on Clooney Road in Knockloughrim, pleaded guilty to a total of 27 charges related to the possession of 603 abusive images.

The court heard that the images were downloaded and stored on his personal devices, which were seized during a police raid conducted at his home in January of the previous year. The authorities also confiscated computers, laptops, mobile phones, and DVDs, which were believed to contain the illicit material. The investigation was initiated after the discovery of these images on Connor’s devices, leading to his immediate suspension from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Judge Piers Grant, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of Connor’s actions, stating that such offences “helped rob children of their childhood,” highlighting the profound harm caused by the possession and distribution of such material. As part of his sentence, Connor was also placed on the sex offenders register for a period of five years, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future activities.

Furthermore, the court imposed a sex offences prevention order on Connor. This order stipulates that he must inform authorities of any change of address upon his release from prison. It also bans him from having unsupervised access to children and prohibits him from accessing the internet for a period of five years, aiming to prevent any potential reoffending.

Connor’s misconduct led to his dismissal from the police force, severing his ties with the PSNI after the discovery of the illicit images. The case has garnered significant attention in the local area, raising concerns about the presence of such offenders within the community and the importance of vigilance and law enforcement in protecting vulnerable children.