Ex-Labour MP faces jail after admitting child abuse image offence

by Verdi 07.07.20 16:31

Ex-Labour MP faces jail after admitting child abuse image offence

Eric Joyce ordered to sign sex offenders’ register after making indecent image of child

Tue 7 Jul 2020 11.42 BS
Last modified on Tue 7 Jul 2020 14.18 BST

Ex-Labour MP faces jail after admitting child abuse image offence 1896_w10

Eric Joyce pictured in 2015. He pleaded guilty at Ipswich crown court to the offence, which took place between 2013 and 2018. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

The former Labour MP Eric Joyce is facing a prison sentence and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register after he admitted to making an indecent image of a child.

The 59-year-old, who was MP for Falkirk in Scotland between 2000 and 2012, pleaded guilty at Ipswich crown court to the offence, which took place between 7 August 2013 and 6 November 2018.

Judge Emma Peters said the single 51-second film, found on a device, “depicts a number of children”.

“Some are quite young, one is said to be 12 months old,” she said. “Clearly a category A movie.”

She said Joyce, who appeared at court in person, “says he accesses it via an email which he says was a spam email”.

“At the time he was drinking heavily and he has now undergone work with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and a psychotherapist,” the judge said.

She ordered a report be prepared before Joyce is sentenced on 7 August.

Judge Peters warned the former shadow minister, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, that the offence crossed the custody threshold. “It’s going to be a question of whether it’s immediate or suspended,” she said.

“You will be required to sign paperwork today acknowledging that you are immediately on the sex offenders’ register,” she said.

She said the court “takes such incidents very seriously” as they “fuel the abuse of children”.

The defendant was granted bail until he appears before the court again.

Joyce left Labour to serve as independent MP for Falkirk in 2012, stepping down before the 2015 general election. He spent 21 years in the army, rising to the rank of major.

A statement published on Joyce’s website last month, after details of the charge emerged, said: “I will make no comment from now until all legal processes are at a close. At that point, I will make a full statement.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/07/ex-labour-mp-eric-joyce-faces-jail-after-admitting-child-abuse-image-offence
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At the time he was drinking heavily and he has now undergone work with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and a psychotherapist,” the judge said.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation | Preventing Child Sex Abuse
https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/

by **sharonl** 07.07.20 18:29

Absolutely shocking, a charity that claims that its aim is to prevent child abuse employs a convicted child abuser. You really couldn't make that up, unbelievable.

Another case of offenders hiding in plain sight, this so called foundation must be a bit like CEOP.

by Ladyinred 07.07.20 18:33

He's married to the journalist and author, India Knight, who writes for the Sunday Times.

He has a history of being drunk and disorderly.

by **PeterMac** 07.07.20 18:41

sharonl wrote:Absolutely shocking, a charity that claims that its aim is to prevent child abuse employs a convicted child abuser. You really couldn't make that up, unbelievable.

Another case of offenders hiding in plain sight, this so called foundation must be a bit like CEOP.

No more shocking than a Charity which clams its aim is to find Missing Children employing someone who claims she lost one of hers though gross negligence
On second thoughts, that is not shocking.
It is LUDICROUS

by Ladyinred 07.07.20 18:48

What's his employment with the charity?

Perhaps I've misread the piece, but as I understand it, he has undergone work, i.e. therapy or counselling, with the charity.

by Doug D 08.07.20 7:43

Ipswich Crown Court, so it'll be a suspended sentence then!

https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/t14741-mccann-supporter-nigel-nessling-avoids-prison-after-downloading-more-than-40000-images-of-child-porn?highlight=ipswich

by wallad 15.07.20 1:01

Perhaps I'm missing something here-and I may well be-but what is this admittedly appalling story got anything to do with it?

by Verdi 15.07.20 1:10

Anything to do with what wallad?

by wallad 15.07.20 12:12

Verdi wrote:Anything to do with what wallad?

The disappearance of Madeleine. Sorry if I confused you.

by Verdi 15.07.20 12:45

wallad wrote:
Verdi wrote:Anything to do with what wallad?

The disappearance of Madeleine. Sorry if I confused you.

Oh I see!

No, it's got nothing to do with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. If you care to navigate the forum, you will see that many subjects of interest are initiated and discussed, without any reference to the case of Madeleine McCann.

thumbsup

by Ladyinred 07.08.20 20:50

Doug D wrote:Ipswich Crown Court, so it'll be a suspended sentence then!

https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/t14741-mccann-supporter-nigel-nessling-avoids-prison-after-downloading-more-than-40000-images-of-child-porn?highlight=ipswich

Yes, a suspended jail sentence.