April 2008 Man shunned after child porn found on computer A FORMER miner and serviceman has been shunned since child pornography was found on his home computer, a court heard. Joseph Edward Stoker, who is of previous good character, was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Durham Crown Court. He admitted 15 counts of making an indecent image of a child at a previous hearing. It follows the police seizure of his computer from his home in Dillon Street, Seaham, County Durham, in March last year. The court was told a total of 874 images it contained were considered illegal, including 123 in the second most severe category on a scale of five. Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Durham Police carried out the raid after information was passed to them following an international investigation into paedophile material on the internet. Miss Masters said Stoker and his wife were arrested, and when interviewed he gave no reply. No action was taken against Mrs Stoker, but he was charged with the indecent image offences. Alex Burns, for 55-year-old Stoker, told the court that the consequences have been, “considerable”. Mr Burns said Stoker hopes his wife will remain with him, but if they do separate she will keep the family home. “He has lost his employment as a painter and decorator. He actually thought it would be best to leave, rather than be sacked. “He’s lost all his friends and, until the other day, none of the family have spoken to him, except for his sister, who effectively told him he deserves whatever punishment he gets. “He can’t give any reason for his behaviour.” Sentencing Stoker, Judge Brian Forster QC, said: “I see that he has served his country in the Army, and is an ex-miner, well regarded by all the people who knew him.” Addressing Stoker, Judge Forster said: “You’ve been hard working and even when you were made redundant from the mines you trained for another skill as a painter and decorator. “For some reason you became obsessed with looking at images on your computer and that has taken over part of your life.” Judge Forster added that he felt society would be “best served” if Stoker’s problems were addressed in the community. The suspended prison sentence includes two-years’ supervision on a sex offender programme. Restrictions were placed on his future use of computers and Stoker must also sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years.