RIDDLESDEN AND SOUTHPORT SEX OFFENDER RICHARD HAMMERSLEY SPARED JAIL OVER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention due to its unusual circumstances, Richard Hammersley, a man who now lives as a woman, was spared imprisonment after admitting to possessing indecent images of children. The incident took place in September 2008 at his residence in Riddlesden, West Yorkshire, where police discovered the illicit images in the dining room of his home. The case was brought before Bradford Crown Court, where the court heard that Hammersley, aged 58, formerly known as Richard Michael Hammersley, had pleaded guilty to 16 charges related to the possession of these images.

Prosecutor Giles Bridge provided details of the police interview, during which Hammersley reportedly stated that she found the images to be beautiful and did not accept that they were indecent. The court was informed that the images were classified as level one, indicating the least serious category of child abuse images. Despite the nature of the images, Judge Jonathan Rose described the case as being on an “entirely different footing” from typical cases he has encountered in his three decades of experience in criminal law.

Judge Rose elaborated on the background of Hammersley's offending, revealing that her issues date back to her childhood. He explained that she was a boy who felt uncomfortable with her gender identity and was particularly uneasy in the company of other boys. The judge noted that Hammersley, who now identifies as asexual, had “never been in my view someone whose attraction to femininity and children has had its root at all in matters of sexual behaviour.”

Further insight into Hammersley's personal circumstances was provided by the judge, who described her living environment. Photographs presented in court showed a setting that resembled that of a young girl, with dolls and “pink, pretty things” scattered around. Judge Rose emphasized that these details were meant to illustrate her upbringing and environment, which influenced his decision not to impose a custodial sentence.

Hammersley, who was previously residing on Western Avenue in Riddlesden and is now living on Dunster Road in Southport, was sentenced to a three-year community order with supervision. Additionally, she was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a period of five years, marking a cautious approach by the court given the unique circumstances of the case.