ACCREDITED VICAR TOM DONAGHEY FROM ACCRINGTON AND BURNLEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Accrington, Baxenden, and Burnley, Reverend Tom Donaghey, a vicar who once served at Baxenden St John Church and was also a chaplain at St Christopher's High School in Accrington, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after admitting to possessing a vast collection of child abuse images.In November, authorities executed a raid on Donaghey’s residence at Baxenden Vicarage, leading to his immediate arrest.
Following his detention, he was placed under investigation by police and subsequently suspended from his clerical duties by the Blackburn Diocese.
Soon after, Donaghey left the church, marking a significant fall from grace for the once-respected religious figure.
On Tuesday, Donaghey, aged 54 and now residing on Bank Parade in Burnley, appeared before Burnley Crown Court to face charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children.
During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornographic material.
The court was informed that Donaghey had admitted his guilt to police prior to the examination of any of his electronic devices, indicating a level of remorse or acknowledgment of his actions.
Prosecutor Alaric Bassano detailed the disturbing nature of the case, revealing that Donaghey’s wife was present during his arrest and was visibly shocked and distressed by the events.
Bassano explained that Donaghey had confessed to police that he had been downloading such illicit imagery for approximately two years.
Initially, he claimed, his interest was limited to naturist images, but this soon escalated.
He reportedly used search terms like 'under age' and 'Lolita' and accessed material from the dark web, highlighting a disturbing progression in his behavior.
Further investigations into Donaghey’s devices uncovered a staggering collection of illegal images.
Police found 297 Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, along with 468 Category B images and 2,823 Category C images of children.
Additionally, 46 images of extreme pornography were discovered, along with a single moving image of Category B.
The images ranged in age from as young as three years old to infants under 12 months, with some depicting children in distress, although none showed children in pain.
It was also revealed that Donaghey was in the process of adopting young twins with his wife, a plan that has now been abandoned due to the revelations.
The court was told that Donaghey had voluntarily undergone counseling and expressed feelings of shame and disgust about his actions.
Judge Richard Archer addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of Donaghey’s offenses.
He stated, “By seeking out these images, you were perpetuating the cycle of child abuse.
It’s not just the downloading, but that such activity fuels a market for such material.” As part of his sentence, Donaghey was handed a two-year community order, which includes the requirement to complete 40 days of rehabilitation.
He was also fined £100 and placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with strict notification requirements to monitor his future conduct.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the importance of vigilance within communities.
