DARREN BURNS FROM HEBBURN AND JARROW ESCAPES PRISON IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CASE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Hebburn and Jarrow, Darren Burns, a 26-year-old man, was found to have accessed and possessed child sexual abuse images using his work computer. The incident came to light in January 2004 when employees at VA Tech Reyrolle, located in Hebburn, grew suspicious of Burns' internet activity during working hours. Concerned about his breach of company policy, the human resources team decided to investigate further, leading to the seizure of his computer.

Subsequently, the computer was examined by authorities, revealing a disturbing collection of illicit material. Police also recovered a second device from Burns' residence in Jarrow. The investigation uncovered a total of 222 images depicting child abuse, with only two classified as the most severe category of such material. Prosecutor Caroline Goodwin detailed the findings to the court, stating, "They found a number of images, both on the machine at work and on his computer at home. It was apparent a number of web pages dealing with the production of illicit paedophilic material were being visited by the defendant."

Burns, who previously pleaded guilty to charges of making and possessing indecent photographs of children in July and August 2002, faced the court for sentencing. His defense lawyer, Carl Gumsley, highlighted the personal toll the case has taken on Burns, noting that he has lost his employment and has been subjected to vigilante attacks, prompting him to relocate to Kidderminster from his original addresses in Hebburn and Jarrow.

Judge David Hodson acknowledged Burns' remorse and cooperation, which influenced his decision to avoid immediate imprisonment. The judge emphasized that a short custodial sentence would not effectively address the underlying issues. Instead, he ordered Burns to serve a community rehabilitation order, which includes mandatory participation in a sex offender group work program. Additionally, Burns is required to register as a sex offender for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk to the community.