JERRY LYONS FROM EASTBOURNE AND WAKEFIELD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PAEDOPHILE PHOTOGRAPHY SCANDAL
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Wakefield and Eastbourne, Jerry Lyons, a man with a troubling past, was found guilty of breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by taking inappropriate photographs of children during football matches.Despite his previous convictions and the restrictions placed upon him, Lyons was caught in the act while working as a semi-professional photographer for a local football club in the Wakefield district.
Lyons, aged 59 and formerly residing in South Elmsall before moving to Saffrons Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, was asked to photograph youth football matches.
However, he failed to disclose his prior criminal history, which included a 2011 conviction for producing and distributing indecent images of children.
At that time, he was sentenced to 24 months in prison.
Following his release, he was subjected to a five-year SHPO in 2016, explicitly prohibiting him from taking photographs of anyone under the age of 16 and restricting his internet use.
The incident came to light in October 2020 when a retired police officer recognized Lyons at a children’s football match in Wakefield while Lyons was taking photographs.
This recognition prompted immediate police action.
Lyons was swiftly arrested, and a search of his computer revealed a disturbing collection of images from various matches.
Authorities also discovered deleted search histories containing phrases such as “boys without shirts” and “sexy shirtless,” indicating a pattern of inappropriate interest.
Additionally, photographs of a boy taken at the child’s birthday party were recovered, further implicating Lyons in misconduct.
During the court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court, prosecutor Robert Galley detailed the evidence against Lyons, emphasizing that he had violated the terms of his SHPO.
Lyons admitted to three breaches of the order, which was specifically designed to limit his internet activity and contact with minors.
The court heard that Lyons’s breaches were serious enough to cross the threshold for custodial sentence, but ultimately, the judge chose to suspend the jail term.
Judge Christopher Batty acknowledged the gravity of Lyons’s actions but clarified that there was no evidence suggesting he was involved in distributing any photographs.
The judge stated, “It’s the third time you are here now.
There are issues that you need to address.
It’s serious.” As a result, Lyons was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program and was given a new seven-year SHPO to prevent any future breaches.
The court’s decision reflects the ongoing concern over Lyons’s conduct and the importance of safeguarding children from potential harm, especially given his history and recent violations.
