LESLEY WINNARD FROM SEDGEFIELD JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY NEAR STOCKTON AND COUNTY DURHAM

In a case that has shocked the local community, Leslie Winnard, a 52-year-old former prison officer from Sedgefield, was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of possessing and distributing a large collection of child sexual abuse images. The incident came to light after police seized his computer from his residence on Eden Drive, Sedgefield, in County Durham, on March 10. The investigation revealed that Winnard had stored a staggering total of 1,567 indecent images of children, which included both still photographs and videos. Among these, 24 were classified as moving images, indicating videos, which are considered more disturbing due to their explicit content.

The court proceedings at Durham Crown Court uncovered that eleven of the images were categorized as level five, the most severe classification for child pornography, indicating the most explicit and heinous material. An additional 257 images were rated at level four, also indicating significant severity. Winnard faced multiple charges, including 16 counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of possessing such material, and two counts of distributing it. These charges stemmed from his actions involving the collection, storage, and sharing of these repugnant images.

Although Leslie Winnard had no prior convictions, the court was informed that he had previously been cautioned in October 2008 for an act that outraged public decency. Specifically, he was cautioned for performing a sex act on himself while naked in his car. This previous caution was considered relevant in assessing his character and the seriousness of his current offenses.

During the hearing, Winnard’s legal representative, Dan Cordey, acknowledged the reprehensible nature of the images but emphasized that his client had led a largely blameless life apart from the cautions and recent convictions. Cordey pointed out that Winnard had dedicated nearly 30 years of service in the Prison Service across the North-East before losing his job at Holme House Jail, near Stockton, after admitting to the charges.

He further explained that Winnard’s downfall was linked to personal issues, notably the end of his 17-year marriage, which was reportedly caused by his adultery. According to Cordey, Winnard’s initial problems stemmed from an addiction to adult pornography and impersonal relationships with women of appropriate age, which eventually spiraled out of control. The defense highlighted that the consequences for Winnard were severe, given his status as a former prison officer and a sex offender.

Judge Christopher Prince delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the gravity of viewing and sharing child abuse images. The judge stated, “You and others must understand that every time such images of a child are viewed, it’s a form of sexual abuse of that child. The distribution of these images perpetuates this form of sexual abuse.”

As part of his sentence, Winnard was banned from working with children for life. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years and was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. This order prohibits him from possessing photographs of children and restricts his access to computers and the internet, aiming to prevent further offenses and protect the community from potential harm.