VICTOR POPE'S CRIMES IN MIDDLESBROUGH AND TEESSIDE: A LONG HISTORY OF SEX OFFENCES AND BREACHES

In October 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Victor Pope, a 79-year-old man from Middlesbrough, who was found to have repeatedly violated court orders designed to prevent him from having contact with children. The case revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that spanned over a decade, highlighting the serious concerns surrounding his interactions with minors and his blatant disregard for legal restrictions.

Initially, Pope was convicted in 2003 in York for indecently assaulting a girl and possessing indecent images of children. His criminal record also included a five-year prison sentence. Following his release, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) in 2009, which explicitly prohibited him from contacting individuals under 18 and owning cameras or photographic equipment. Despite these restrictions, Pope continued to breach the order multiple times, raising alarm among law enforcement and the community.

One of the most troubling aspects of his conduct involved befriending a woman whose vulnerable grandson visited his home on several occasions. During these visits, Pope offered the young boy sweets, toys, a calculator, a model airplane, and birthday presents. The boy’s grandmother became suspicious after discovering Pope’s criminal background through online research and promptly alerted the police. The boy’s mother expressed her distress, stating she no longer trusted anyone and was second-guessing her judgment when meeting new people.

In addition to the boy, a teenage girl also visited Pope’s residence. She recounted that he showed her jigsaws and model ships he had crafted, engaged her in conversation, and gave her sweets, money, and a tablet computer. Her mother, who had initially befriended Pope out of sympathy and concern, later expressed regret, feeling foolish for trusting him and blaming herself for the oversight.

During police investigations, Pope admitted to failing his children’s carers by not disclosing his criminal history. Authorities also discovered six electronic devices at his home— a phone, a Kindle, three video cameras, and a computer monitor with a webcam— all of which were prohibited under his SOPO. Pope claimed he purchased these second-hand, hoping to avoid detection, but no illicit material was found on any of the devices.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Pope, residing on Webster Road, Normanby, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to seven breaches of his SOPO. His previous violations included a 2014 incident where he was caught with nine devices, leading to an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 18 months of supervision. The court emphasized the seriousness of his repeated breaches and the danger posed by his continued non-compliance.

In September 2017, Pope’s violations escalated when he was found to have allowed children into his home, despite the court order. He admitted to six breaches of the SOPO, which had been imposed in July 2009, by having contact with two minors—a girl and a boy—and permitting them into his residence. These offenses occurred between June 2016 and June 2017. Judge Tony Briggs, presiding over the case, acknowledged Pope’s age and health issues, noting the unusual circumstances but emphasizing the need for a thorough medical assessment before final sentencing. The judge postponed sentencing until October 30, 2017, and ordered a review of Pope’s health.

Further investigations revealed that Pope had previously been banned from owning electronic devices capable of taking photographs, including a laptop and a camera phone, following his 2003 conviction. Despite this, police found eight items at his home in 2014, which he claimed he bought at car boot sales. These devices were examined and found to contain no illicit material. Pope explained that he purchased them to repair, asserting he had no internet access. Nevertheless, he was convicted of eight breaches of his SOPO related to these devices and received a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, with supervision.

Earlier, in January 2004, Pope was sentenced to five years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against a young girl. The victim, only 11 years old at the time, endured four years of abuse, which included being tied with a noose, stripped, and subjected to pornographic filming. Pope, then aged 65 and a retired ambulance worker, admitted to multiple charges, including indecent assault, cruelty, possession of child pornography, and taking explicit photographs of children. The court described his actions as particularly depraved, noting that the girl was so distressed that she wished he would kill her to escape the abuse.

Throughout these proceedings, Pope’s behavior has been characterized by a pattern of manipulation, breach of legal restrictions, and repeated attempts to circumvent the law. His case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who continue to flout court orders and pose a significant risk to children and the community at large.