PAUL TOWNSLEY FROM JARROW ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORN DISCOVERY

In a case that has shocked the community of Jarrow, Paul Townsley, aged 55, faced serious allegations related to the possession of indecent images involving children. The incident came to light after police investigations linked him to a series of disturbing images found on his electronic devices.

It all began when detectives, probing the crimes of Ernest Hennigan—a 59-year-old man also from Jarrow who is now serving an indefinite sentence for multiple sex offenses, including rape of two young children—interviewed Townsley. Hennigan’s arrest and subsequent conviction for heinous sexual assaults prompted authorities to scrutinize those associated with him, leading to Townsley's involvement.

During the investigation, police seized Townsley's laptop and internal hard drive. In an attempt to conceal his activities, he tried to erase the data by wiping his hard drive and installing new operating systems. Despite these efforts, forensic specialists were able to recover 36 disturbing images and videos depicting children being abused, which were stored on his devices.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Townsley pleaded guilty to possessing indecent material. The court heard that he had been aware of his friend Hennigan’s arrest in February 2011, which was related to serious sexual offenses. Prosecutor Katherine Dunn explained that Townsley had handed over his laptop and hard drive to the police during the investigation.

Judge Brian Forster QC described the images as “bad” and emphasized the court’s duty to protect vulnerable children from exploitation. He stated, “These are unpleasant images, they involve young girls. You must understand the courts have a clear duty to protect those who are used to prepare and publish such images.”

Despite the severity of the evidence, the judge considered Townsley's lack of prior convictions and the possibility of rehabilitation. He was informed by probation officials that he could be safely reintegrated into the community, which was seen as beneficial both for him and society.

Consequently, Townsley was sentenced to a community order lasting three years, which includes supervision and participation in a sex offenders’ treatment program. Additionally, he is required to adhere to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for life and must register as a sex offender for the next five years.

During the hearing, Andrew Finlay, defending, stated that although Townsley had viewed the indecent material, he had not stored or saved it intentionally. Finlay also highlighted that Townsley had never been in trouble before and that he had suffered significant personal consequences, including losing his home and long-term partner after his secret was exposed. Finlay expressed concern that Townsley now lives in social isolation, fearing recognition and potential violence from the community.

In summary, while Townsley's actions were deemed serious, the court opted for a community-based sentence, emphasizing rehabilitation and community safety over imprisonment.