JERRY ELLINS FROM STOCKPORT SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL PARENTAL SCANDAL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stockport, pensioner Jerry Ellins has been sentenced for possessing a large collection of indecent images of children, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that has garnered significant attention from law enforcement authorities.In September 2016, Ellins, aged 67, was found to be in possession of nearly 1,000 illicit photographs depicting children in various states of undress.
Police classified some of these images as Category A, indicating the most severe level of indecency and criminality.
Despite openly admitting to an interest in child pornography, Ellins’s case took a complex turn as his personal life and family connections came under scrutiny.
Ellins, a former Royal Navy submariner, was arrested and subsequently appeared before Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.
The court handed down a sentence of six months in prison, which was suspended for a period of 12 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period.
The court heard that Ellins, who is a father to Gary Ellins, a primary school teacher recently jailed for filming pupils during a school change, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
These images were unrelated to his son’s criminal activities but added to the gravity of his own case.
Prosecutor Adam Lodge detailed the extent of Ellins’s illicit collection, revealing that he initially claimed the images depicted young adults aged 18 to 20.
However, he later admitted that the photographs were of children, some as young as four years old, with others up to 12 years of age.
The police found 295 images classified as Category A, the most extreme, along with 262 Category B and 437 Category C images, illustrating a disturbing escalation in the severity of his collection.
Further investigation uncovered that Ellins had been warned about his online activity in a letter from internet service provider BT.
This warning prompted police to investigate further, leading to his arrest.
The case also intersected with the recent criminal activities of his son, Gary Ellins, who was convicted for filming pupils at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School in Mossley.
During the police search of the family home on Vernon Drive, Marple, officers discovered videos taken by Gary Ellins of pupils changing clothes during PE lessons, which contributed to his 12-month jail sentence.
Throughout the proceedings, Ellins’s defense lawyer, Peter Malone, emphasized that despite his guilty plea, his wife remained supportive of him.
Mr.
Malone expressed hope that Ellins could return to the family home and continue living with his wife, who had stood by him throughout the ordeal.
The court was informed that Ellins had served 13 years in the Royal Navy as a submariner before transitioning into a career as a project manager.
Following his conviction, he sought help through counseling and behavioral courses, which his lawyer believed could aid in managing his tendencies.
Addressing Ellins directly, Judge Leslie Hull remarked on the tragedy of the case, noting that Ellins had previously led a life of service and integrity.
The judge expressed disappointment that such a person could be involved in crimes of this nature, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses.
As part of his sentence, Ellins was ordered to complete a 12-month community order, register as a sex offender for seven years, and pay costs amounting to £340.
The case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the importance of vigilance within communities like Stockport and Marple.
