JAMES KENNEDY SHOCKING CHILD PORN CONVICTION IN JOHNSTONE, STAFFORD, AND WILENHALL
| Red Rose Database
Stafford Willenhall Johnstone Child Sexual Abuser
In October 2012, a disturbing case emerged involving James Kennedy, a man with ties to Johnstone, Stafford, and Willenhall, who was found guilty of possessing and distributing a vast collection of indecent images of children. Kennedy, aged 48, whose background included training for the priesthood, working as a teacher, a football coach, and even pursuing a career in stand-up comedy, faced serious criminal charges after police uncovered thousands of illicit images stored on his home computer and a memory stick.
Kennedy grew up in Johnstone, a town in Renfrewshire, before moving to the West Midlands to start a family after abandoning his path to priesthood. His varied career included roles as a supply teacher, tutor for excluded secondary school pupils, and a registered FA football coach. Despite his professional pursuits, Kennedy also sought to establish himself in the entertainment industry as a stand-up comic, performing at clubs across the country. His scheduled appearance at the Birmingham Comedy Festival was abruptly canceled when news of his trial surfaced.
The police raid on Kennedy’s residence in Wakes Close, Willenhall, revealed more than 4,500 indecent images of children, with over 300 classified in the most severe categories. Prosecutor David Lees told the court that Kennedy had been exchanging some of these images online with up to six individuals, further complicating the case. During police interviews, Kennedy claimed to be suffering from depression and insisted he had no sexual interest in children, a statement the judge, Robin Onions, dismissed as implausible, stating, “I find that impossible to accept.”
Kennedy’s defense argued that he was a man of good character, driven to commit these acts due to loneliness following a breakup. However, the court found the evidence overwhelming. Kennedy pleaded guilty to five charges, including possession of over 4,500 indecent images, two counts of possessing indecent moving images, and two counts of distributing such images. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, requiring him to complete an intensive sex offender group work program, and ordered him to pay £340 in costs. Additionally, Kennedy was permanently banned from working with children.
The Blue Orange Theatre in Birmingham, where Kennedy was scheduled to perform, is a registered charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and adults. The event’s promoter, Colin Mearns, decided to cancel Kennedy’s appearance upon learning of his criminal history. Mearns explained, “I got in touch with him as I wanted to tell him I was going to pull him from the show. He didn’t respond when I asked him about the court case. He just said he couldn’t do the gig because he was in Scotland, caring for his sick mother. It certainly wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to perform.”
This case highlights the serious consequences of possessing and sharing child exploitation material, and the community’s response underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations. Kennedy’s actions have not only led to legal repercussions but also to the loss of his career and reputation, serving as a stark reminder of the gravity of such offenses.
Kennedy grew up in Johnstone, a town in Renfrewshire, before moving to the West Midlands to start a family after abandoning his path to priesthood. His varied career included roles as a supply teacher, tutor for excluded secondary school pupils, and a registered FA football coach. Despite his professional pursuits, Kennedy also sought to establish himself in the entertainment industry as a stand-up comic, performing at clubs across the country. His scheduled appearance at the Birmingham Comedy Festival was abruptly canceled when news of his trial surfaced.
The police raid on Kennedy’s residence in Wakes Close, Willenhall, revealed more than 4,500 indecent images of children, with over 300 classified in the most severe categories. Prosecutor David Lees told the court that Kennedy had been exchanging some of these images online with up to six individuals, further complicating the case. During police interviews, Kennedy claimed to be suffering from depression and insisted he had no sexual interest in children, a statement the judge, Robin Onions, dismissed as implausible, stating, “I find that impossible to accept.”
Kennedy’s defense argued that he was a man of good character, driven to commit these acts due to loneliness following a breakup. However, the court found the evidence overwhelming. Kennedy pleaded guilty to five charges, including possession of over 4,500 indecent images, two counts of possessing indecent moving images, and two counts of distributing such images. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, requiring him to complete an intensive sex offender group work program, and ordered him to pay £340 in costs. Additionally, Kennedy was permanently banned from working with children.
The Blue Orange Theatre in Birmingham, where Kennedy was scheduled to perform, is a registered charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and adults. The event’s promoter, Colin Mearns, decided to cancel Kennedy’s appearance upon learning of his criminal history. Mearns explained, “I got in touch with him as I wanted to tell him I was going to pull him from the show. He didn’t respond when I asked him about the court case. He just said he couldn’t do the gig because he was in Scotland, caring for his sick mother. It certainly wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to perform.”
This case highlights the serious consequences of possessing and sharing child exploitation material, and the community’s response underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations. Kennedy’s actions have not only led to legal repercussions but also to the loss of his career and reputation, serving as a stark reminder of the gravity of such offenses.