July 2023

Pensioner jailed for child sex and indecent images offences

A pensioner who was found guilty of child sexual offences and of possessing a huge number of indecent images of children has been sentenced today.

72-year-old Henry Devine of Norton, Stockton was arrested in February 2021 on suspicion of sexual touching of a child.

While enquiries got underway, police seized a number of electronic devices which were then examined by specialist officers. 

They discovered over 1, 600 indecent images of children – including hundreds in the most serious category.

Devine was later charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of possessing indecent images of children.

A three-day trial took place in mid-May this year, where he was found guilty on all six counts.

Devine, of Argyll Road, was also ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.