NORMAN HERSEY FROM BOURNEMOUTH AND SANDHURST SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX IMAGE OFFENSES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities, Norman Hersey, a 58-year-old man with ties to Bournemouth and Sandhurst, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and distributing a significant number of indecent images involving children.

Hersey, a father of five, was convicted of downloading more than 100 child abuse images on his personal computer. The case was brought to light in January of the previous year when police were called to his residence in Bournemouth following an investigation by the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre. Authorities discovered that Hersey’s computer contained a total of 109 indecent images and videos, some of which depicted the most severe forms of child abuse, including scenes where adults were sexually abusing minors.

The police investigation revealed that Hersey had not only stored these illicit images but also actively shared them. It was uncovered that he had sent several of these indecent images to a 17-year-old girl via Windows Live Messenger, raising further concerns about his conduct and intentions.

Hersey, who was employed as a school minibus driver in Bournemouth at the time of the offenses, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of making indecent images and one count of distributing such material during a previous court hearing. His guilty plea came after the evidence was presented, and the court was informed of his role in the dissemination of child exploitation content.

Following his arrest and the subsequent discovery of the images, Hersey lost his job as a school minibus driver. The repercussions of his actions extended beyond employment, as he was effectively ostracized from the Bournemouth community. It was reported that he was “hounded” out of Bournemouth and has since relocated to Sandhurst, where he now resides.

During the sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Roger Jarvis emphasized the seriousness of Hersey’s offenses. The judge stated that the court must send a clear message that such crimes warrant immediate imprisonment. In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Hersey was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender by signing onto the Sex Offenders Register.

Legal representatives for Hersey, including Nicholas Robinson, argued that the defendant had personality difficulties and had no prior criminal record. Robinson highlighted that the convictions would significantly impact Hersey’s relationships with his five children, adding a personal dimension to the case.

Judge Jarvis concluded the hearing by reaffirming the gravity of Hersey’s actions and the need for appropriate punishment, thereby ensuring that justice was served for the victims and the community at large.