This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-53694012

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Eric Joyce: Ex-Labour MP sentenced for child sex offence Eric Joyce: Ex-Labour MP sentenced for child sex offence
(32 minutes later)
Ex-Labour MP and former Army officer Eric Joyce has received a suspended sentence after he admitted making an indecent image of a child. A former Labour MP and ex-Army officer who admitted making an indecent image of a child has been sentenced.
Joyce, 59, had a film on a device that "depicts a number of children" with one said to be 12 months old, Ipswich Crown Court heard. Eric Joyce had a 51-second film on a device that "showed the "sexual abuse of very young children", Ipswich Crown Court heard.
The former shadow minister and ex-MP for Falkirk was arrested in 2018.The former shadow minister and ex-MP for Falkirk was arrested in 2018.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Joyce, 59, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
The court heard the 51-second category A film - the most serious there is - was accessed by Joyce, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, between August 2013 and November 2018. The court heard the 51-second category A film - the most serious there is - was accessed by Joyce between August 2013 and November 2018.
It featured what appeared to be seven different children, aged between 12 months and seven years.It featured what appeared to be seven different children, aged between 12 months and seven years.
Sentencing Joyce, Judge Mr Justice Edis said the film showed the "sexual abuse of very young children". Judge Mr Justice Edis said: "That these acts of abuse happened is because there are people like you who want to watch these films.
"That these acts of abuse happened is because there are people like you who want to watch these films," he added.
"If there was no market, those children wouldn't be subjected to these very serious offences.""If there was no market, those children wouldn't be subjected to these very serious offences."
Joyce was the MP in Stirlingshire between 2000 and 2012 before leaving the party to serve as an independent. The judge said Joyce had "sought help" and there was evidence he had been able to "reduce, perhaps completely" his "impulsive behaviour".
He held the post of shadow Northern Ireland minister in 2010 and stepped down before the 2015 general election. Joyce was the Labour MP for Falkirk between 2000 and 2012 before leaving the party to serve as an independent.
He stepped down before the 2015 general election.
He originally joined the Army in 1977 before serving for 21 years, during which he rose to the rank of major.
Joyce also received a sexual harm prevention order, was given an 18-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,800.