JOHN EVANS FROM BILLINGHAM AND BISHOP AUCKLAND SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND 20,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Billingham and Bishop Auckland, John Evans, aged 52, has been sentenced to a decade in prison after admitting to a series of heinous child sex offences and possessing an enormous collection of child abuse images. The court heard that Evans, who now resides in Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland, had previously pleaded guilty to 21 separate charges, which included sexual offences against two underage girls, as well as the creation, possession, and distribution of nearly 20,000 indecent images of children.

Judge Peter Armstrong delivered the sentence at Teesside Crown Court on a Friday, emphasizing the perverted and distorted mindset that Evans exhibited. The judge made it clear that Evans had deceived his victims to satisfy his twisted desires, and he condemned his actions as a gross violation of innocence and trust. The sentence includes five years of actual imprisonment, with the remaining five years on license.

Following the hearing, Shaun Storey, an investigator from the Cleveland Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team, provided details about the investigation. Evans was arrested in the autumn of 2017 after authorities executed a search warrant at his then-residence in Billingham. The investigation involved meticulous forensic analysis of multiple electronic devices seized from Evans’ home, which uncovered a disturbing trove of communications and images.

According to Storey, the devices revealed over 3,000 messages sent to victims across the globe, with Evans often posing as a 19-year-old male. These communications were part of a broader pattern of grooming and exploitation. The devices also contained some of the most disturbing images of child abuse and extreme pornography, some of which had been shared with others. In October of that year, the Crown Prosecution Service formally charged Evans with 21 offences, including inciting sexual activity with a child under 13, engaging in sexual communications with a minor, and the making, possession, and distribution of indecent images of children.

He was unequivocal in his statement that every indecent image of a child constitutes an act of child abuse, underscoring the devastating impact such material has on victims. “Perpetrators have no concern for the suffering and degradation they cause victims,” he stated.

Evans’ crimes centered around two victims he had groomed online. One of these victims was only 11 years old when the abuse and communication began, while the other was 15. The court heard that Evans had no prior convictions but had admitted to eight sexual offences against one of the girls during a hearing earlier this month. These included causing her to engage in sexual acts, causing her to watch sexual acts, and possessing numerous indecent photographs of her.

In addition, Evans admitted to causing another girl under 16 to watch a sexual act and engaging in sexual communication with her. He also pleaded guilty to 10 charges related to illegal images obtained online. The evidence showed that he had created 19,313 indecent images, including 2,973 at the most serious level, using devices such as an iPhone, MacBook, and a hard drive. Furthermore, he distributed 114 of these images and possessed 10 prohibited “cartoon” images of children, along with an extreme pornographic image.

The offences spanned a period of six years, from 2011 to 2017, and were committed within the Billingham area. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the crimes and the vulnerability of the victims involved. The court was also informed that Evans had attempted to take his own life by overdose shortly before the hearing, which led to his hospitalization. Prosecutor Rupert Doswell expressed concerns about the potential risk Evans posed to himself and others, advocating for his remand in custody.

Judge Stephen Ashurst acknowledged the seriousness of the case, noting that Evans had entered guilty pleas and had been released under investigation for nearly a year. However, given the gravity of the offences, especially considering the young ages of the victims, the judge deemed a substantial custodial sentence necessary. Evans was remanded into custody until the sentencing hearing scheduled for November 30, where further assessments of his background, mitigation, and future risk will be conducted. The judge concluded that granting bail at this stage would be unjustified, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for the victims and the community.