JOHN BLACKIE FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES AND BREACHING SEXUAL OFFENCES PREVENTION ORDER

In May 2013, a serious case involving John Blackie, a pensioner from Chester-Le-Street, drew significant attention from law enforcement and the local community due to his involvement in child pornography offenses and violations of a court-imposed sexual offences prevention order.

Blackie, who is now 75 years old, had previously been sentenced to a 30-month prison term at Durham Crown Court on December 22, 2009. This sentence was handed down after he admitted to 21 charges related to the downloading, distribution, and possession of a staggering 7,627 images depicting children in explicit and abusive situations. The court had also ordered Blackie to refrain from accessing the internet except in public libraries for work or educational purposes, as part of his custodial sentence.

However, despite these restrictions, Blackie was found to have violated the terms of his order after his release from prison. The breach came to light when police received intelligence suggesting that Blackie was still engaging in illegal internet activity. On April 14, law enforcement officers visited his latest residence, located in Hilda Park, Chester-Le-Street, and conducted a search of the property. During the search, they discovered a laptop and an external hard drive concealed within a plastic shopping bag inside the dishwasher.

Further examination of the devices revealed disturbing evidence. The laptop contained searches related to paedophilia, and the hard drive was found to hold thousands of indecent images of children. When questioned, Blackie made candid admissions, stating that he had been exchanging indecent images of children on a Russian website, describing the activity as being similar to swapping cigarette cards. He also claimed that some of the children depicted appeared to be enjoying themselves, a statement that added to the gravity of his offenses.

Blackie’s legal history was also discussed during the proceedings. He had been released from prison on license on March 24, 2011, after serving his initial sentence, which fully expired on June 22, 2012. Despite this, he purchased the laptop just 20 days after his release, raising further concerns about his compliance with the court’s orders.

During the hearing, Blackie’s defense lawyer, Tony Davis, acknowledged his client’s honesty and remorse. Davis stated, “He was open and honest about his activities as soon as he was confronted. He accepts he has a problem and needs to address it. He hopes to get that assistance while he is in prison.”

In response, Recorder Bryan Cox sentenced Blackie to an additional two years in prison. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the laptop and external hard drive. The existing sexual offences prevention order, which was imposed in 2009, will remain in effect indefinitely. Furthermore, Blackie is required to continue registering as a sex offender for the rest of his life, underscoring the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Earlier incidents involving Blackie also came to light. In December 2009, he was arrested after his wife, Margaret Blackie, discovered evidence of his involvement in child pornography. She found a piece of paper in his trouser pocket listing child pornography websites, which she confronted him about. Subsequently, she searched their home and found a computer memory stick containing numerous pornographic images. Blackie admitted to possessing and sharing these images, which dated back to 2005.

Prosecutor David Crook described the case, stating, “Blackie was caught after his wife found the evidence, and he was involved in online conversations with like-minded individuals. Many of the images had been shared with others over the internet.”

Blackie, who resides on Prendwick Close in Chester-Le-Street, was charged with 21 counts of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. His defense attorney, Peter Johnson, highlighted his client’s previously good character and explained that Blackie initially turned to the internet out of interest in motorcycles but was drawn into the darker world of child pornography. Johnson added that Blackie’s marriage had ended, and he would have to sell his house to settle financial obligations.

Ultimately, Blackie was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with a ban on any unsupervised contact with children. He is also mandated to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for community safety.