A Gateshead man jailed for possessing more than 1,000 child abuse images has died in prison. Stanley Burnett, 76, passed away at HMP Durham on July 19, prompting an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO).
Offences and sentencing
Burnett, formerly of Alwinton Gardens, Lobley Hill, Gateshead, was found by police to have 985 category A images – the most serious type – along with 373 category B and 192 category C images. In May, Newcastle Crown Court heard he possessed a mix of moving and still images and had expressed disturbing desires about children. When asked by police if he was sexually attracted to children, Burnett laughed.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, two of distributing such images, three counts of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, advertising indecent images, and breaching a sexual risk order. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Judge's remarks
Recorder Tony Hawks told Burnett: "All these offences arise out of your perverted interest in looking at and talking about the abuse of young children." The judge said Burnett's claim in a pre-sentence report that he had no sexual interest in children was "plainly a lie". He added: "By having an interest in this sort of disgusting material you create a market for it and encourage it. That's why the offences are so serious."
