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DAVE HERN OF BOURNEMOUTH JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES
In a significant case brought before Bournemouth Crown Court, David Hern, a 52-year-old shopkeeper residing on Christchurch Road in Bournemouth, was convicted and sentenced for possessing and creating indecent images of children. The charges stemmed from a police operation targeting internet-based child exploitation, known as Operation Ore, which aimed to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the distribution and viewing of child pornography.Authorities conducted a raid on Hern’s residence in December 2002, during which they seized multiple electronic devices, including computers and disks. An examination of these items revealed a disturbing collection of material, comprising 87 images and six films. The images included photographs and videos depicting children as young as four years old being subjected to sexual abuse by adults. The severity of Hern’s offenses was underscored by the fact that 16 of these images and videos were classified at level four, indicating a high degree of seriousness and explicit content.
Prosecutor Nigel Mitchell detailed the nature of the evidence, describing some of the most distressing images which showed men raping and indecently assaulting young boys and girls. He emphasized that the victims ranged in age from infants to slightly older children, with some as young as four years old. During police interviews, Hern admitted to having first accessed such websites in 1998, citing curiosity as his initial motivation. Hern, who owns a shop specializing in science fiction magazines, expressed remorse for his actions during the proceedings.
Defense lawyer Paul Hester provided context for Hern’s personal circumstances, revealing that Hern had been married twice and was undergoing treatment for depression prior to his arrest. Hester explained that Hern’s initial intent was to seek adult pornography, but he inadvertently encountered the illegal images, which he described as a result of morbid curiosity. Hester emphasized Hern’s remorse and the impact of his actions.
Judge Roger Jarvis delivered the sentence, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the images Hern possessed. The judge highlighted the broader implications of such material, noting that the consumption of child pornography fuels demand for the abuse of children worldwide. Hern was sentenced to four years in prison, with the judge indicating that Hern would serve no more than six months before being released on license. Additionally, Hern was disqualified from working with children and will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the serious consequences of his crimes and the ongoing risk to the community.