GARY HARVEY FROM CAMBRIDGE FINED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES INVOLVING NEARLY 3,000 IMAGES

In January 2003, a Cambridge-based computer engineer named Gary Harvey faced serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of child pornography. Harvey, who is wheelchair-bound due to spina bifida, appeared before Cambridge Crown Court to be sentenced after being charged with 16 counts of creating indecent photographs of minors.

The charges stemmed from images stored on his home computer's hard drives, which were uncovered by authorities from Cambridgeshire police. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from U.S. law enforcement agencies, highlighting the international cooperation involved in tackling such crimes.

During the court proceedings, Harvey requested that the judge consider an additional 2,864 images stored on zip disks, which he had not previously disclosed. These images, he argued, should be taken into account when determining his sentence. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service had previously identified Harvey’s credit card details being used to access child pornography on an American website, further implicating him in the case.

Harvey’s defense attorney, Mr. Greg Perrins, attempted to explain his client’s actions by suggesting that Harvey’s initial interest was in adult pornography. Perrins stated, “He got subversively into more and more dangerous stuff. He was very naïve initially and didn’t realize what he was getting into.”

However, the prosecution, led by Sally Hobson, emphasized that Harvey’s continued access to the illegal material required him to repeatedly provide his name, address, and payment details on multiple occasions, indicating a deliberate and ongoing engagement with the content.

The images in question depicted children as young as eight in various states of undress. These images were created by Harvey over a period spanning from March 1999 to October 8 of the previous year. They were categorized into one of five levels of seriousness, with the fifth being the most severe.

Judge Peter Jacobs, presiding over the case, noted that the Court of Appeal had previously determined that the images did not warrant a custodial sentence. Nevertheless, he imposed a fine of £960—£60 for each of the 16 charges—and ordered Harvey to pay £245 in costs. Additionally, Harvey was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and was given a Community Rehabilitation Order.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Jacobs expressed strong condemnation of Harvey’s actions, stating, “You must be a very sad and pathetic character if your life’s enjoyment is poring over images of under-developed children. The destruction of children is the real evil of the case.” His comments underscored the gravity of the offense and the societal outrage it provoked.