GEORGE JACOBUS FROM LEOMINSTER JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN HEREFORDSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the small community of Leominster and the surrounding areas, retired accountant George Jacobus, aged 76, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing and distributing a significant number of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed that Jacobus had accumulated over 730 illicit images on his computer, some of which were classified as the most severe category, known as 'Category A'.

Jacobus, who resided in Stockley Cross, Staunton-on-Arrow, near Leominster, had previously held a prominent position as head of audit in his former accountancy firm. His arrest and subsequent conviction have not only led to his imprisonment but also to profound personal and social consequences. During the hearing at Worcester Crown Court, it was disclosed that Jacobus had admitted to two counts of distributing emails containing indecent images, some of which depicted children as young as five or six engaging in oral sex with adults. Additionally, he confessed to creating three indecent photographs and possessing internet images of children, further compounding the severity of his offenses.

The court heard that the images included naked girls up to 14 years old, and the discovery of these images has caused widespread shame and humiliation for Jacobus. His wife of 40 years, who was present during the proceedings, expressed her disgust and revulsion but also her support, standing by him despite the gravity of his actions. The judge, Recorder Denis Desmond, emphasized the disturbing nature of the images, highlighting that some depicted children as young as five or six involved in sexual acts with adults.

In addition to his prison sentence, Jacobus was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. The judge made it clear that he believed Jacobus was unlikely to reoffend, but the court took the matter very seriously. Prosecutor Paul Whitfield pointed out that Jacobus, who had no prior convictions, had sent 14 emails containing indecent images to others, indicating a pattern of behavior.

Following his arrest in February of the previous year, Jacobus explained to police that he had started 'experimenting' with such material in 2000. He admitted that this activity quickly became addictive and that he had engaged in conversations with others who shared similar interests. His defense attorney, Mark Thompson, described Jacobus as a respected retired professional who had held high office in his career. Thompson also expressed concern about the social repercussions, noting that Jacobus lives in a small village where he had contributed voluntarily to the community. He warned that Jacobus's reputation and good works would be overshadowed by this conviction, and that he would face ostracism from his neighbors and community members.

The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the distribution of illegal images, as well as the profound personal and societal impacts of such crimes.