PAUL HANCOCK FROM BASFORD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In a case that has shocked the local community, Paul Hancock, a teacher residing in Basford, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found in possession of a significant collection of indecent images involving children. The incident came to light following a police raid at his residence on Sydney Street, Basford, on December 3, 2010, which uncovered a disturbing array of illicit material.

During the subsequent court proceedings at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in June 2012, authorities revealed that officers had discovered a large quantity of children's clothing, including numerous items of underwear, along with photographs of schoolgirls dressed in uniform, displayed on one of the bedroom walls in Hancock’s home. The police investigation extended to computers seized from both his residence and his workplace, a school in Somerset, where Hancock was employed as a teacher.

Prosecutor Neil Ahuja detailed the findings, stating that one of the computers located at Hancock’s Basford home had been used to access websites containing child pornography and images of children’s clothing. An analysis of the device revealed it contained 62 images classified at level one, 46 at level two, four at level three, and 23 at level four, with none reaching the most severe level five. Additionally, investigators uncovered 94 extreme pornographic images, some depicting injury, trauma, or damage.

Mr. Ahuja explained that the images primarily depicted children aged between 13 and 17, but some photographs showed children as young as eight to ten years old, including both males and females. Further examination of another computer from Hancock’s home revealed images of children aged six and seven. A computer at his school was also found to contain searches related to adult baby wear, and another device held three images at level one.

Paul Hancock, aged 63, of Sydney Street, Basford, pleaded guilty to four charges: making indecent images of children, possessing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornographic images. The court heard that Hancock, who was married and had two adult children, lost his teaching position following the discovery of the material.

Defense lawyer Stuart Clarkson argued that Hancock’s professional conduct had been beyond reproach prior to the incident. He emphasized that there was no evidence of distribution or sharing of the images and suggested that Hancock’s actions stemmed from personal issues. Clarkson described Hancock as someone who perceives himself as inadequate, suffering from low self-esteem, with a history of self-harm and self-flagellation. The lawyer also noted Hancock’s self-imposed isolation within his Stoke-on-Trent home, describing him as being cut off from society and living in a secluded, inward-focused world.

Judge Paul Glenn addressed the court, stating that sending Hancock to prison would be pointless as he would likely be released within three to four weeks. Instead, he imposed a three-year community order, including three years of supervision and a requirement to complete a community sex offender rehabilitation program. Hancock was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to pay costs amounting to £1,200.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Glenn described some of the images as “stomach-turning” and explicitly stated that some depicted real children being abused for the entertainment of individuals like Hancock. He directly challenged Hancock’s claim of no sexual interest in the images, calling such assertions “utter rubbish,” and underscored the severity of the material involved in this disturbing case.