MICHAEL ELDER'S SHAMEFUL CRIMES IN BYKER: DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES AND REPEATED BREACHES

In August 2023, Michael Elder, a man with a long and troubling history of possessing and viewing child abuse images, faced serious legal consequences once again in Newcastle. Elder, who resides in Raby Gate, Byker, Newcastle, has been embroiled in multiple criminal proceedings over the past decade, primarily related to his disturbing collection and distribution of indecent images of children.

His latest court appearance revealed that Elder, aged 44, had failed to disclose a new iPad to police for six months, citing reasons such as 'dyslexia and stress' for his oversight. This omission was particularly significant because Elder was under a strict sexual harm prevention order, which mandated that he notify authorities within three days of acquiring any internet-enabled device. During a risk review conducted in June of this year, police officers visited his home and requested all electronic devices. Elder presented a phone and a newly purchased iPad, claiming the latter was bought six months prior but had not been reported to the authorities.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Elder has accumulated 25 previous convictions, dating back to 2010. His criminal record includes possession of indecent images of children, breaches of sexual offender orders, and failure to comply with registration requirements. Notably, in 2010, he received supervision and a sexual offences prevention order after being found with indecent images. The following year, he served 13 weeks in prison for failing to adhere to the sex offenders register and for breaching a community order. His pattern of offending persisted, and in 2012, he was given a community order for possessing indecent images and breaching the sexual offences prevention order, along with a sexual harm prevention order.

In 2019, Elder was convicted again for possessing a phone he had failed to declare to police, and in 2022, he was jailed for eight months after being found with over 200 images and videos of children aged between four and fifteen on his mobile device. This last conviction was related to offenses committed in 2017 and 2018. The court also imposed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the same period.

Most recently, Elder was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for breaching the sexual harm prevention order. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service. The court emphasized that the sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration requirements remain in effect. Judge Tim Gittins expressed concern over Elder’s repeated offenses, noting that Elder blamed his failure to register devices on 'dyslexia and stress,' despite his prior conviction in 2019 for similar failures. The judge pointed out that Elder was well aware of the registration obligations, given his extensive criminal history, which dates back to 2009.

Judge Gittins highlighted the gravity of Elder’s repeated violations, stating, 'This was a deliberate breach.' He also remarked on Elder’s history of downloading and possessing indecent images, which underscores the seriousness of his offenses. The judge chose to suspend the sentence, recognizing that incarceration could jeopardize Elder’s employment and housing, potentially hindering his rehabilitation. However, he issued a stark warning: 'You are standing on the edge of a cliff. If you take a step, make sure it’s a step back, away from the edge.'

In a related incident in June 2022, Elder was tearfully sentenced after being caught with 'sickening' indecent images of children for the third time. Officers found over 200 images and videos on his device, including material involving children aged between four and fifteen. Elder, then 43, had previously been convicted in 2010 and 2012 for similar offenses. During the 2022 investigation, police seized his mobile phone, which contained numerous images and videos classified across various categories of severity. Elder pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and was sentenced to eight months in prison, along with a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and registration as a sex offender.

Throughout his criminal history, Elder has accumulated 21 convictions, including multiple breaches of orders and failure to comply with registration requirements. His repeated offenses demonstrate a persistent pattern of offending, despite previous sentences and orders aimed at curbing his behavior. The court’s decisions reflect the ongoing concern about his ability to adhere to legal restrictions and the potential risk he poses to the community, especially vulnerable children. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant enforcement and the challenges faced in rehabilitating offenders with such extensive histories of sexual misconduct.