JAPANESE UNIVERSITY LECTURER IASAO YASAHURA FROM JESMOND SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN NEWCASTLE

In September 2003, a disturbing case emerged involving Iasao Yasahura, a Japanese national and university lecturer, who was found to possess a large collection of child pornography. Yasahura, aged 42 and residing on Bayswater Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, was subsequently placed on the sex offenders' register following the discovery of over 1,500 illicit images of children stored on his personal computer.

Investigators uncovered these images during a police operation that was part of a broader investigation known as Operation Ore. The authorities had been alerted to Yasahura’s activities after US-based database searches revealed the presence of these illegal materials. The police raid on his residence in Jesmond took place in October 2002, leading to the seizure of his computer and the subsequent analysis of its contents.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Yasahura kept the images in a highly organized manner, categorizing them into various folders. Among these, a folder labeled “special” contained indecent images of children, which he described as “artistic images” during police interviews. Yasahura, a married man and father of two, expressed shock upon learning that some of the images might be illegal in the UK, claiming he believed them to be artistic representations rather than illicit material.

Prosecutor Caroline Goodwin detailed the extent of the material found on Yasahura’s computer, which included a total of more than 16,000 pornographic images, with the child abuse images constituting a significant portion. The court was told that Yasahura’s actions and the nature of his collection did not align with any artistic intent but rather reflected a disturbing interest in exploiting children.

Judge Beatrice Bolton addressed the court, stating, “I don’t accept for a moment that this is the result of Mr Yasahura’s interest in the artistic development or otherwise of young children. I am well aware of the Japanese culture, and this doesn’t conform to my understanding of that.”

Yasahura’s defense lawyer, Robert Adams, described him as a “clever and well-respected university lecturer,” emphasizing his previous reputation before the charges. The court was also informed that Yasahura had been living separately from his wife for a year following the allegations and had limited, heavily supervised contact with his children.

In sentencing, Judge Bolton made it clear that Yasahura was not considered devious but held entrenched views about what images were acceptable, views most reasonable people would strongly oppose. Yasahura was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order, placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, and ordered to pay costs amounting to £722. This case highlights the serious legal and moral implications of possessing and viewing illegal images of children, regardless of cultural background or personal beliefs.