JEREMY ALLISON FROM GILLINGHAM ADMITS TO DOWNLOADING CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Gillingham, Jeremy Allison, a former mathematics teacher, has admitted to the serious crime of downloading indecent images of children from the internet. The proceedings took place at Maidstone Crown Court, where Allison, residing on Balmoral Road in Gillingham, pleaded guilty to two charges related to the possession of such illicit material.

These charges stem from the discovery of graphic video clips depicting young children at the ages of four and five, which were found on his computer. The images were uncovered after Allison took his computer in for repair, leading to the authorities' investigation. The court was informed that the offences occurred over a period spanning from September 2007 to September of the following year.

During the hearing, Sara Haroon, representing Allison, revealed that he was employed as a teacher at Knole Academy, located on Bradbourne Vale Road in Sevenoaks. She confirmed that Allison was no longer working there, indicating that his employment had been terminated following the allegations.

Allison, aged 29, has a complex medical history, including a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Prior to his teaching career, he was managing director of a beauty business. He later pursued higher education at Greenwich University before becoming a teacher. His defense attorney highlighted that Allison suffers from chronic depression, which is linked to his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Haroon also disclosed that following his arrest, Allison attempted to take his own life, underscoring the severity of his mental health struggles.

Judge Martin Joy, presiding over the case, decided to adjourn the sentencing until October 25 to allow for comprehensive reports to be prepared. He also granted Allison conditional bail, with strict conditions that prohibit him from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16. The judge emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, "You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence. The court needs to know more about you before sentence is passed. A report should not give you any false idea about the nature of the sentence." The court's focus remains on ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to address the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding Allison's mental health and background.