JOHN SHANNON CHATTES WITH CHILD PORN IN EAST ANGLIA - PRIEST FROM CHATTES DIES IN JAIL
| Red Rose Database
Chatteris Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Chatteris and the wider East Anglia region, Father John Shannon, a Catholic priest aged 58, has been sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a significant number of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed that Shannon had downloaded a total of 740 explicit photographs depicting minors as young as nine years old.
At the time of his arrest, Father Shannon was serving as a part-time lecturer at Ushaw College, located near Durham City. Following his apprehension, he chose to retire from his clerical duties and subsequently resigned from his position within the church. The incident prompted widespread concern and condemnation from church authorities and the local community alike.
The Durham Crown Court heard that the police were alerted to suspicious activity at Ushaw College last June when college officials discovered an attempt to access restricted websites. Acting swiftly, officers visited Shannon’s residence in Chatteris and seized his personal computer for examination. Forensic analysis of the device uncovered a disturbing collection of 740 indecent images, predominantly of young boys.
In a statement prepared for the police, Shannon admitted that his actions were driven by curiosity and a lack of self-control, which he described as a compulsion. He further disclosed that some of the images had been kept on his computer as screensavers, indicating a troubling level of premeditation and obsession.
During previous court hearings, Shannon pleaded guilty to 16 counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing such images. His defense attorney, Andrew Finlay, argued that Shannon had been a priest for three decades and was compelled by his celibate vows, which he claimed had left him unable to explore his sexuality openly. Finlay suggested that this repression might have contributed to his illicit behavior, describing it as a bottled-up issue.
Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Shannon to be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and imposed a lifelong ban on working with children. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the offense and the need to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm.
Following the sentencing, The Rt Rev Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia, issued a statement condemning the actions of Shannon. He emphasized that any form of child abuse, including the production and possession of indecent images, is unacceptable within the Christian community. The bishop expressed deep regret and apologized profoundly on behalf of the diocese, acknowledging the damage inflicted upon children and the betrayal of trust involved in such cases.
At the time of his arrest, Father Shannon was serving as a part-time lecturer at Ushaw College, located near Durham City. Following his apprehension, he chose to retire from his clerical duties and subsequently resigned from his position within the church. The incident prompted widespread concern and condemnation from church authorities and the local community alike.
The Durham Crown Court heard that the police were alerted to suspicious activity at Ushaw College last June when college officials discovered an attempt to access restricted websites. Acting swiftly, officers visited Shannon’s residence in Chatteris and seized his personal computer for examination. Forensic analysis of the device uncovered a disturbing collection of 740 indecent images, predominantly of young boys.
In a statement prepared for the police, Shannon admitted that his actions were driven by curiosity and a lack of self-control, which he described as a compulsion. He further disclosed that some of the images had been kept on his computer as screensavers, indicating a troubling level of premeditation and obsession.
During previous court hearings, Shannon pleaded guilty to 16 counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing such images. His defense attorney, Andrew Finlay, argued that Shannon had been a priest for three decades and was compelled by his celibate vows, which he claimed had left him unable to explore his sexuality openly. Finlay suggested that this repression might have contributed to his illicit behavior, describing it as a bottled-up issue.
Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Shannon to be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and imposed a lifelong ban on working with children. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the offense and the need to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm.
Following the sentencing, The Rt Rev Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia, issued a statement condemning the actions of Shannon. He emphasized that any form of child abuse, including the production and possession of indecent images, is unacceptable within the Christian community. The bishop expressed deep regret and apologized profoundly on behalf of the diocese, acknowledging the damage inflicted upon children and the betrayal of trust involved in such cases.