TERENCE STROUD FROM MIDDLESBROUGH ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE NEARLY 5,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES FOUND
In a case that has shocked the Middlesbrough community, 59-year-old Terence Stroud was found in possession of an alarming number of child abuse images on his personal devices, yet managed to avoid imprisonment after admitting to the charges.The incident dates back to February 2013, when authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images stored on devices linked to his residence in Warwick Street, Ayresome, Middlesbrough.
During proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Stroud had amassed a total of 4,829 indecent images of children.
The majority of these illicit images, including 890 classified at the most severe legal level, were located on a hard drive recovered from his home.
Additionally, 18 more images were discovered on a laptop found at his mother’s residence, which was outside the Middlesbrough area but still within the jurisdiction.
Initially, Stroud denied any involvement or wrongdoing when questioned by police.
He maintained that he was innocent and suggested that other individuals might have used his computer without his knowledge.
His explanations, however, were met with skepticism, and an expert witness dismissed his convoluted claims, emphasizing the overwhelming evidence against him.
Despite the mounting evidence, no trial was conducted because Stroud chose to admit to two charges of making indecent photographs of children just before the scheduled trial date.
His defense lawyer, Nigel Soppitt, highlighted that Stroud had taken a significant step by admitting guilt, which is considered rare in such cases.
Soppitt also argued that his client posed a low risk of reoffending sexually.
Judge Sean Morris acknowledged this cooperation, noting that Stroud had fully disclosed his actions to a probation officer, a level of honesty that is uncommon among offenders of this nature.
Earlier in May 2016, Stroud had made a late plea of guilty, with the judge commenting that “better late than never.” At that point, he admitted to possessing 4,832 illegal images of children, despite previously denying any involvement.
The evidence indicated that the images were stored on a computer and a hard drive, with some found at his Middlesbrough address in Ayresome and others at a different location outside the town.
As the trial was about to commence, Judge Morris questioned the defendant’s defense, prompting Stroud to claim that other people must have used his devices between 2008 and 2013.
His barrister, Nigel Soppitt, explained that Stroud’s assertions were convoluted and not supported by the evidence.
An expert witness confirmed that Stroud’s explanations were inaccurate, yet he persisted in denying guilt.
Recognizing the importance of honesty and remorse, Judge Morris advised Stroud to consider the evidence carefully.
He emphasized that defendants who admit guilt and show contrition often face more lenient sentences, such as community orders, rather than immediate imprisonment.
After further deliberation, Stroud pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent photographs of children, marking his first conviction for such offenses.
The images included 894 at the most serious legal level, stored on an external hard drive and a laptop recovered from his home and a temporary address on February 21, 2013.
Judge Morris granted bail to Stroud, of Clarendon Road, Ashford, Middlesex, until sentencing scheduled for June 17.
He remarked, “A little late, but better late than never.
And believe me, you’ve done the right thing.
The evidence in this case is quite frankly overwhelming.” He also urged Stroud to cooperate fully with the preparation of a pre-sentence report, warning that any back-tracking or falsehoods could jeopardize his chances of leniency.
The judge concluded by noting that, despite the delay, admitting guilt was a positive step, and he hoped that Stroud would accept the consequences of his actions and face the appropriate punishment.
