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Offender expert jailed over porn | Offender expert jailed over porn |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man who helped set up a Government database of violent sex offenders has been jailed on child pornography charges. | |
Vincent Barron, 50, a senior probation service manager, admitted 21 charges of distributing indecent images and one charge of possessing 3,800 images. | Vincent Barron, 50, a senior probation service manager, admitted 21 charges of distributing indecent images and one charge of possessing 3,800 images. |
They were found on a computer when police raided his home in Kirk Rise, Frosterley, County Durham. | They were found on a computer when police raided his home in Kirk Rise, Frosterley, County Durham. |
The judge at Durham Crown Court sentenced him to 33 months in prison. | The judge at Durham Crown Court sentenced him to 33 months in prison. |
He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life and banned from working with children indefinitely. | He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life and banned from working with children indefinitely. |
Barron was employed by Northumbria Probation Service for a number of years before being seconded to the Home Office VISOR project. | Barron was employed by Northumbria Probation Service for a number of years before being seconded to the Home Office VISOR project. |
You held a position trusted by society to stop this type of behaviour and not indulge in it. Judge Richard Lowden | You held a position trusted by society to stop this type of behaviour and not indulge in it. Judge Richard Lowden |
The project was set up after the Bichard inquiry into Soham double child killer Ian Huntley, called for a national IT register of offenders which could be shared by all police forces. | The project was set up after the Bichard inquiry into Soham double child killer Ian Huntley, called for a national IT register of offenders which could be shared by all police forces. |
The database contains the details and photos of more than 60,000 of the most dangerous criminals, including 25,000 registered sex offenders. | The database contains the details and photos of more than 60,000 of the most dangerous criminals, including 25,000 registered sex offenders. |
Barron was arrested in August 2005 during an investigation into an internet paedophile by police in Scotland. | Barron was arrested in August 2005 during an investigation into an internet paedophile by police in Scotland. |
Durham Crown Court was told that chat room transcripts between Barron and another man described "vile fantasies" depicting rape and murder. | Durham Crown Court was told that chat room transcripts between Barron and another man described "vile fantasies" depicting rape and murder. |
Northumbria Probation Board is appalled to learn that a former employee is guilty of such serious and disturbing offences SpokesmanNorthumbria Probation Board | Northumbria Probation Board is appalled to learn that a former employee is guilty of such serious and disturbing offences SpokesmanNorthumbria Probation Board |
The court heard that at the time of his offending he had been suffering from work-related stress, had been drinking more and was depressed. | The court heard that at the time of his offending he had been suffering from work-related stress, had been drinking more and was depressed. |
Judge Richard Lowden said Barron had wrecked a "fine career of public service". | Judge Richard Lowden said Barron had wrecked a "fine career of public service". |
He said: "These offences of distributing child pornography are of the utmost seriousness and you know why. | He said: "These offences of distributing child pornography are of the utmost seriousness and you know why. |
"These images show children being abused and anything that encourages this type of offending is abhorrent. | "These images show children being abused and anything that encourages this type of offending is abhorrent. |
"You held a position trusted by society to stop this type of behaviour and not indulge in it." | "You held a position trusted by society to stop this type of behaviour and not indulge in it." |
Barron has since been sacked by the Probation Service. | Barron has since been sacked by the Probation Service. |
A spokesman for Northumbria Probation Board said: "Northumbria Probation Board is appalled to learn that a former employee is guilty of such serious and disturbing offences. | A spokesman for Northumbria Probation Board said: "Northumbria Probation Board is appalled to learn that a former employee is guilty of such serious and disturbing offences. |
"The board deplores his behaviour and the impact it has had on victims and their families." | "The board deplores his behaviour and the impact it has had on victims and their families." |
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