JOE AZZOPARDI FROM GRASSINGTON SENTENCED FOR INDECENT IMAGES AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY
| Red Rose Database
Grassington Sexual Abuser
In September 2014, the small village of Grassington became the focus of a serious criminal case involving local businessman Joe Azzopardi. The court proceedings revealed that Azzopardi, aged 65, had admitted to possessing and creating indecent images of a child, as well as possessing extreme pornographic material involving an animal. The charges stemmed from material found on his electronic devices, which police confiscated following an investigation triggered by received information.
According to court reports, the offences took place at Azzopardi’s residence in Summers Fold, with incidents dating back to 2004 and 2013. Specifically, he admitted to making three indecent photographs of a child, with the earliest being in 2004, and the most recent in 2013. Additionally, he was found to possess an extreme pornographic image involving an animal, also in 2013. The police discovered these images on various electronic devices owned by Azzopardi, including an Apple iPad and two laptops, which were subsequently confiscated as part of the legal proceedings.
During the court hearing, it was emphasized that Azzopardi had previously maintained a reputation of good character. He was accompanied to court by his wife, Elizabeth, and appeared deeply ashamed of his actions. The court was informed that the impact of the case had been devastating on his personal life and his business interests in Grassington. The fallout from the allegations and subsequent conviction had caused significant financial strain, leading Azzopardi to conclude that he could no longer continue living in the community where he had resided for over ten years.
In mitigation, solicitor Scott Mclaughlin highlighted that the case was primarily about possession of indecent images, which he described as a result of a temporary 'medical condition' that had led Azzopardi to offend. Mclaughlin also pointed out that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating remorse. He appealed to the magistrates for leniency, emphasizing the personal and financial toll the case had taken on Azzopardi and his wife.
Ultimately, the magistrates sentenced Azzopardi to a two-year community order with supervision, which includes participation in a sex offenders group programme. He will also be registered on the sex offenders register for five years and subject to a sexual offenders prevention order for the same duration. Furthermore, Azzopardi was ordered to pay a victims surcharge of £60 and costs of £85. The court also approved the confiscation of his electronic devices, including the Apple iPad and two laptops, as part of the case's enforcement measures.
According to court reports, the offences took place at Azzopardi’s residence in Summers Fold, with incidents dating back to 2004 and 2013. Specifically, he admitted to making three indecent photographs of a child, with the earliest being in 2004, and the most recent in 2013. Additionally, he was found to possess an extreme pornographic image involving an animal, also in 2013. The police discovered these images on various electronic devices owned by Azzopardi, including an Apple iPad and two laptops, which were subsequently confiscated as part of the legal proceedings.
During the court hearing, it was emphasized that Azzopardi had previously maintained a reputation of good character. He was accompanied to court by his wife, Elizabeth, and appeared deeply ashamed of his actions. The court was informed that the impact of the case had been devastating on his personal life and his business interests in Grassington. The fallout from the allegations and subsequent conviction had caused significant financial strain, leading Azzopardi to conclude that he could no longer continue living in the community where he had resided for over ten years.
In mitigation, solicitor Scott Mclaughlin highlighted that the case was primarily about possession of indecent images, which he described as a result of a temporary 'medical condition' that had led Azzopardi to offend. Mclaughlin also pointed out that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating remorse. He appealed to the magistrates for leniency, emphasizing the personal and financial toll the case had taken on Azzopardi and his wife.
Ultimately, the magistrates sentenced Azzopardi to a two-year community order with supervision, which includes participation in a sex offenders group programme. He will also be registered on the sex offenders register for five years and subject to a sexual offenders prevention order for the same duration. Furthermore, Azzopardi was ordered to pay a victims surcharge of £60 and costs of £85. The court also approved the confiscation of his electronic devices, including the Apple iPad and two laptops, as part of the case's enforcement measures.