Julian Barnes, the Great Horton Paedophile, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for the possession and distribution of several obscene photos, including abhorrent depictions of toddlers subjected to severe torture.
Julian Barnes, 50, of Haycliffe Terrace, Great Horton, Bradford, indulged his deviant desires by seeing and downloading photos of minors ranging from a few months to their mid-teens, as presented before Bradford Crown Court today.
Julian Barnes admitted admission to seven charges concerning the dissemination of indecent photographs, the possession of over 1,700 images classified as categories A, B, and C, possession of an extreme pornographic image, and possession of forbidden images.
Prosecutor Heather Gilmore stated that the recorded youngsters ranged in age from a few months to around 16 years, with several exhibiting clear signs of anguish.
Abdul Shakoor stated in mitigation that nine character references presented an alternative perspective on Julian Barnes. He aided his senior neighbours and engaged in volunteer work at an animal refuge.
Julian Barnes, who was remanded in custody in HMP Leeds, had lived an isolated lifestyle, but family members valued him, the court was told.
“He was in a fantasy world online and never had any access to any children,” Mr Shakoor said.
Judge Ahmed Nadim said Julian Barnes had pleaded guilty to the seven offences when the case reached the crown court rather than owning up sooner before the magistrates.
He was a man of previous good character, and many testimonials were submitted to the court on his behalf, but there was a dark side to his character. He had a deep-seated interest in child abuse images and got repeated sexual gratification from them.
“You have viewed and downloaded this material, creating a demand for that sort of child abuse to satisfy the perverted lust of individuals such as you,” Judge Nadim said.
Children as young as just a few months and between one and two years old were being abused on the material.
Although Julian Barnes had never been in trouble before, his offending dated back to 2019.
Judge Nadim made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Julian Barnes must sign on the sex offender register, both for life. After the case, WYP stated: “Bradford District’s Police Online Investigation Team launched an investigation when 17 indecent images were uploaded to a Google account in March, 2022.
“The IP address came back to Julian Barnes’ home address and he was subsequently arrested, charged and remanded on January 25, 2023.”
Officer in the case, PC Kate Davis, of Bradford District’s Police Online Investigation team, said: “Julian Barnes was in possession of the most disturbing child abuse material at the time of his arrest.
“His collection included more than 1,700 images of the most serious category. Behind every picture, there is a victim of child abuse.
“We welcome the lengthy sentence today which reflects the seriousness of his offending.
“We are committed to protecting victims of child sexual abuse. We will find those people responsible and bring them before the courts.”
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