CHRISTOPHER POTTS JARROW CHILD PORN PERVERT BANNED FROM COMPUTER USE IN NEWCASTLE COURT

In August 2012, Christopher Potts, a man from Jarrow, found himself back in court after breaching a court order that prohibited him from owning a computer. The breach was uncovered during a routine police check at his residence on Priory Road, Jarrow, where officers observed that he had a computer connected to his television in the living room. This was a violation of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) issued to him in December 2010 by Newcastle Crown Court, which was part of his sentence after he admitted to possessing indecent images of children.

At that time, Potts, aged 25, had already been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was explicitly forbidden from owning a computer without prior approval from Northumbria Police. The court had granted him permission to possess a computer while he was living with his father, but after moving into his own property, he was required to reapply for permission. However, during the police visit, he claimed ignorance of this requirement and insisted he only used the computer for gaming purposes. Importantly, police found no indecent images on the device during their inspection.

Prosecutor Sarah Robinson explained that the SOPO was valid until September 2014 and clearly stipulated that Potts needed police approval to own a computer. She noted that although he had been granted permission while living with his father, he failed to reapply after moving out. Robinson emphasized that Potts had not been aware of this breach, and there was no evidence of indecent images on the computer at the time of the police check.

During the hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Christopher Brown, representing Potts, described the breach as a technicality. He argued that there was no malicious intent and that his client had no intention of hiding his computer use. Brown pointed out that Potts had been open about his gaming interests and had not attempted to conceal his device, which was in full view in his living room. He also highlighted that Potts had a mobile phone capable of internet access, which he used regularly without any issues.

Chairman of the bench, Paul Allen, acknowledged the arguments and noted that no illicit material was found on the computer. He also recognized that Potts had internet access via his phone without any problems. Ultimately, the magistrates sentenced Potts to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 in costs, emphasizing the importance of compliance with court orders designed to protect the public from individuals with a history of child exploitation.

Earlier, in October 2009, Christopher Potts had been convicted of attempting to outwit law enforcement by downloading child pornography. During that incident, he admitted to viewing such material for approximately five years, starting when he was 17. Police traced him through his credit card, which he used to access restricted sites, leading to his arrest. A search of his home computer uncovered 43 illegal images depicting children aged between six and 16, with most falling into the less serious categories, although some were more severe.

Prosecutor Tim Parkin detailed that Potts had acknowledged viewing the images but claimed to have stopped two days prior to his arrest. He stated that his motivation was to test how long he could evade detection, describing his actions as driven by a desire for the thrill of staying ahead of the police. Potts, who was then without a fixed address, faced 11 charges of making indecent photographs of children and pleaded guilty.

His defense lawyer, Barry Robson, described Potts as leading a solitary and isolated life, with communication difficulties linked to autism and Asperger’s syndrome diagnosed when he was nine. Judge David Wood expressed concern about the potential harm such images could cause to victims, emphasizing the serious and lasting impact on their lives. Despite this, the judge assessed that Potts posed no significant risk of committing contact offenses and sentenced him to a community order for two years with supervision. Additionally, Potts was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and was disqualified from working with children for life. The court also reinforced the ban on his owning or accessing a computer under the terms of his sexual offences prevention order.