NORMAN FLETCHER CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORN IN BISHOP AUCKLAND - SENTENCED IN DURHAM

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Bishop Auckland community, Norman Fletcher, a 32-year-old resident of Tees Walk, was found to have been involved in the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as extreme animal pornography. The disturbing details emerged during court proceedings that spanned from his initial arrest to his sentencing at Durham Crown Court.

On June 4 of the previous year, police officers executed a search warrant at Fletcher’s residence in Coundon, a suburb near Bishop Auckland. During the raid, authorities seized a computer and a memory stick, both of which contained highly illegal material. When questioned about the contents, Fletcher chose to remain silent, offering no response to the police inquiries. Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed the presence of file-sharing software used to download illicit images.

The investigation uncovered a total of 1,208 indecent images, with 104 classified as the most serious category. These images depicted boys aged between 8 and 16 engaged in penetrative sexual acts with men. Among the material were 19 moving images, one of which lasted up to 42 minutes. Disturbingly, one video showed a boy clearly suffering pain and distress during the abuse. Additional footage included extreme animal pornography involving dogs and horses, further highlighting the severity of the material Fletcher possessed.

Following his arrest, Fletcher was interviewed again but remained silent, refusing to answer questions. His case was brought before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe last month, where he pleaded guilty to two charges related to the downloading of indecent images of children and one charge of possessing extreme pornography. The magistrates decided that the case should be transferred to Durham Crown Court for sentencing, which took place on Thursday, January 8.

Prior to sentencing, a pre-sentence report was prepared by the Probation Service. The report expressed concern over Fletcher’s proclivity for such material, indicating that he posed a “high risk” of harm to children. However, it was noted that there was no evidence suggesting he had engaged in any physical abuse or contact with minors. Fletcher’s legal representative, Tom Mitchell, emphasized his client’s honesty during interviews and argued that Fletcher was suitable for a sexual offenders’ treatment program.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Adams acknowledged the seriousness of Fletcher’s offenses. He stated that measures needed to be put in place to prevent Fletcher from being alone with any child under 16 unless a parent or guardian, aware of his offending history, was present. The judge sentenced Fletcher to ten months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, contingent upon his participation in a sexual offender treatment program. Additionally, Fletcher was ordered to be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for seven years and must register as a sex offender for ten years.

These proceedings follow Fletcher’s initial admission in December 2014, when he pleaded guilty to making 1,218 indecent images of children between August 2011 and June of the following year. He also admitted to possessing extreme animal pornography involving dogs and horses on June 4. At that time, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe recognized that their sentencing powers were insufficient and committed the case to Durham Crown Court for a more severe penalty. Fletcher, who has no previous convictions, was granted conditional bail pending his sentencing.