GEORGE STEPHENSON FROM BANGOR INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE AT BELFAST SCHOOL

In January 2003, a serious incident involving a former staff member at a prestigious Belfast school has come to light, revealing disturbing details about the possession and download of indecent images of children. The individual in question, George David Stephenson, who resided on Tennyson Avenue in Bangor, was found to have accessed and downloaded illicit material from the internet while employed at Cabin Hill, a well-known boarding school in Belfast.

Stephenson, aged 36 at the time, served as a part-time assistant within the school's boarding department. His actions came to the attention of school staff when they discovered a video depicting a young person estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old on a computer program operated by him. The discovery prompted immediate concern and action from the school's personnel, who promptly contacted law enforcement authorities.

Following the alert, police conducted a thorough search of Stephenson’s residence, which confirmed their suspicions. During the investigation, officers uncovered additional images stored on his computer, including photographs and video clips of young males in indecent poses. These images were reportedly downloaded between October 2000 and September 2001, a period during which Stephenson was under scrutiny for his online activities.

At Downpatrick Crown Court, presided over by Judge Kennedy, Stephenson faced charges related to the possession of indecent images. The court was informed that he had admitted to downloading six such images, some in still picture format and others as video clips. The court heard that the images depicted minors in compromising and inappropriate situations.

During the proceedings, the prosecution highlighted that Stephenson’s actions did not appear to be motivated by financial gain, nor was he connected to any paedophile ring. The court was also told that Stephenson had previously taught at another school in Ulster, adding context to his background.

Judge Kennedy, in his sentencing remarks, acknowledged that Stephenson’s case was not among the most severe of its kind. He emphasized that Stephenson was “badly in need of help” and ordered him to participate in a sex offenders’ treatment program run by probation services. Additionally, Stephenson was placed on the police sex offenders’ register for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions.

In conclusion, the court’s decision aimed to balance the need for punishment with the recognition that Stephenson’s case was not the worst of its kind, and that he required intervention to address his behavior.