STEPHEN EVANS FROM WITHERNSEA AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SECOND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In April 2018, Stephen Evans, a 66-year-old resident of Withernsea, found himself back in court facing serious allegations related to child exploitation images. This marked his third appearance before the judicial system concerning such offenses, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior that has persisted over the years.

Evans’s criminal history includes a previous conviction in 2006, when he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for possessing indecent images of children. Four years later, he was released conditionally after breaching a sexual offences prevention order, which underscored ongoing concerns about his conduct. Despite these past convictions, Evans continued to engage in illegal activities involving child exploitation material.

During a police raid on his North Street residence in Withernsea, officers seized an external hard drive from Evans’s home. The warrant was executed early in the morning at 8:52 am on April 5. Subsequent analysis of the device revealed a disturbing collection of videos depicting child abuse. The files included 23 movies classified as Category A, indicating the most severe content, along with seven at Category B and one at Category C. The material had been downloaded from a file-sharing website called “Emule,” and Evans had viewed these videos between March and April of that year. Notably, when police arrived, 20 of the videos were found in the electronic recycling bin on his computer, suggesting an attempt to hide or delete the evidence.

During the court proceedings at Hull Crown Court, Evans admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. He appeared in court visibly frail, relying on two walking sticks, which underscored his age and physical condition. The prosecutor, Phillip Evans, detailed the findings and emphasized the gravity of the case.

In sentencing, the judge opted for a sentence of 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. The judge explained that although the number of images was not extraordinarily high, the content was highly disturbing and illegal. He acknowledged Evans’s prior conviction and the importance of the probation service’s intervention, suggesting that with proper support, Evans might avoid reoffending in the future. The judge also noted that if Evans had been convicted after a trial, a sentence of approximately 30 months would have been appropriate, but praised his cooperation and guilty plea, which spared him immediate custody.

As part of his sentence, Evans is required to undertake 29 two-hour sessions on the Horizon programme, a rehabilitation initiative aimed at addressing offending behavior. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely and must register as a sex offender for the next ten years. These measures are intended to protect the community and prevent further offenses, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety in Withernsea and beyond.