August 2013 Hertford pervert is jailed again for child abuse images HERTFORD pervert Stephen Hankin was told by a judge it was “shocking” that he had stooped to the level of watching young children being abused on the internet. To make matters worse, said Judge John Plumstead yesterday (August 22) at St Albans Crown Court, Hankin had already notched up a previous conviction for watching sickening child sex images on the internet for which he had been jailed. Even so the court heard, he had been unable to control the urge to watch more of the material after his release. He amassed a collection of depraved images on his computer running into the thousands, Yesterday Hankin, 55, of Cowper Crescent, Hertford, appeared for sentence having been convicted in July at North And East Herts Magistrates Court of 10 offences of making indecent photos of a child, two of possessing indecent photos of a child and one offence of possessing extreme pornography. The married father-of-two had been convicted in 2008 for downloading images and jailed for 14 months and his name added to the sex offenders register. That conviction meant he was subject to random and unannounced visits to his home by officers from the public protection Unit of Hertfordshire police. They could enter his home and inspect his computer to see if he was visiting internet sites to view and download child sex material. Kevin West, prosecuting, said it was following such a visit on Saturday January 19 that officers discovered Hankin was up to his old tricks and had, during 2012, downloaded thousands of sex abuse images. Mr West said Hankin had collected more than 14,000 images, but included in the collection were 329 of the very worst type of photos of young children – some under 10 – being subjected to sickening sexual acts. The prosecutor said Hankin told police he had been unable to stop himself from downloading the images. Tim Nutley, defending, said following Hankin’s first conviction in 2008, Hankin had lost his job and his marriage had suffered. He said following this conviction the defendant had again lost employment and his wife had moved out. “He does feel remorse, particularly for the effect this will have on his family,” said Mr Nutley. He said Hankin “may have a genuine problem” which has caused him to offend and he said he hoped to get help to deal with it while in custody. Juidge Plumstead jailed Hankin for 16 months and ordered his name be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He also made him the subject of a sexual offences prevention order. July 2013 Hertford man admits child abuse images and movies haul A PAEDOPHILE has admitted possessing a stash of thousands of indecent pictures of children, scores of indecent movies of youngsters and hundreds of beastiality images. Stephen Hankin, 55, of Cowper Crescent, Hertford, held his hands up to 13 child and animal pornography charges when he appeared before Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday July 24. He admitted 10 charges of making indecent photographs or movies and one each of possessing indecent images, movies and pornographic images of animals and people. Hankin had 14,863 child abuse images over five devices. Police rated the images from one to five in severity upwards. There were 13,824 graded level one, 277 level two, 435 level three, 316 level four and 11 level five. There were 147 movies discovered on three devices, with 66 level one, 18 level two, 11 level three, 50 level four and two movies ranked at level five. Three devices also contained 231 extreme pornographic images of people performing intercourse with animals. All of the charges are said to relate to on or before Saturday January 19 this year at Hertford. Hankin was released on unconditional bail and is due before St Albans Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday August 21.