GERALD FISHER OF GOSPORT CAUGHT VIEWING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN JULY 2014

In July 2014, Gerald Fisher, a resident of Sycamore Close, Gosport, was exposed after his girlfriend discovered hundreds of images depicting child abuse on her laptop. Fisher, aged 34, pleaded guilty in Portsmouth Crown Court to five counts of producing indecent photographs of a child and two counts of possessing extreme pornography involving children.

The court learned that Fisher had amassed a total of 794 images of children, which varied in severity, including 26 that were classified as extreme pornography. Prosecutor Tammy Mears explained that Fisher had been viewing these images over a period of five years. She also stated that he had two prior cautions for similar offenses: one in 2007 for flirting with young girls in a shop, and another in 2010 for expressing love to a nine-year-old girl to her parents.

Some of the less graphic images involved babies, and the most explicit pictures depicted children as young as six. All images were still photographs downloaded from the internet; there was no evidence to suggest Fisher was involved in creating them.

Jeffrey Norie-Miller, defending Fisher, expressed his client’s remorse, stating, “He is disgusted with his behaviour and with the fact that he has allowed it to go on for as long as it has without seeking help.” The court was also told that Fisher had previously attempted to seek help but lacked a structured approach.

Norie-Miller highlighted Fisher’s medical conditions, including chest condition costochondritis and a rare skin condition known as Darier’s disease, and described him as ‘extremely vulnerable’. He argued that Fisher could face difficulties in custody, possibly hindering his access to necessary treatment.

The judge, Nicholas Haggan QC, sentenced Fisher to a three-year community order with three years of supervision and mandated attendance at a sexual offender’s treatment program. Fisher was prohibited from working with children, placed on the sex offender register for at least five years, and subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order. Additionally, the court ordered the destruction of the laptop’s hard drive.