DAVID MCKEE FROM BELFAST ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES
In June 2014, David McKee, a 43-year-old former pharmacist from Edenderry village in Belfast, was spared imprisonment despite being found in possession of nearly 400 indecent images of children as young as five.He was discovered to have stored a total of 378 illicit images across multiple electronic devices.
McKee appeared before Belfast's Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of children.
The offences spanned from January 2008 to September 2012.
Following his arrest, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland removed him from professional registration due to his failure to maintain professional development standards.
Crown prosecutor Philip Henry explained to the court that the images, mostly classified in the lowest category, depicted children aged between five and 15.
They were found on various devices including a pen drive, a laptop, and a computer.
Mr.
Henry stated that McKee admitted guilt when questioned by authorities and that he sourced the images from adult websites and chatrooms.
Defence lawyer Ian Turkington described McKee as “hitherto a man of good standing” and remarked, “it is difficult to imagine a steeper fall from grace.” He added that McKee’s failure to uphold his professional development post-arrest led to his deregistration as a pharmacist.
Turkington further explained that the breakdown of McKee’s marriage prompted him to explore darker parts of the internet, but since then, he has expressed remorse, calling himself “naive, stupid and foolish.” The lawyer concluded by portraying McKee as “a recluse with deteriorating mental health.” Judge David McFarland sentenced McKee to three years on probation and ordered him to complete 100 hours of community service.
Additionally, he was placed under a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
