Paedophile ex-teacher and magistrate spared jail after vowing to beat child porn obsession

Vincent Copeland, of Leigh Road, Leigh, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today after admitting three counts of possessing indecent images of children at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court in June.

The charges related to three category A, two category B and two category C images and movies that he sent to himself via two email accounts.

One of the depraved videos in the worst category A featured the rape of a ten-year-old boy.

The 61-year-old had what Judge David Goodin described as an “exemplary career” until his arrest in November for possession of the vile images.

The court heard how Copeland retired as deputy headteacher at Thorpe Bay School- now Futures College- in 2002 after spiralling into depression following the death of his long-term partner.

Maria Dineen, mitigating, said Copeland’s world “fell apart” and he became isolated and obsessed with the online world.

He developed an interest in viewing images of young children, but at the same time took up posts as a school governor at both St Thomas More High School in Westcliff and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in Leigh.

He also became a member of Southend Council’s children and lifelong learning scrutiny committee and a magistrate.

She said: “This is a man who may well have betrayed the faith that others had in him and he has betrayed the standards of public life.

“But at no stage did he ever use any role to commit any offence.”

Despite being found with just seven images, Copeland told police he had dumped at least seven computers in bins around Southend in the past.

After his arrest, police found a letter at his home which he intended to send to friends.

It said: “You know already, or will shortly find out, I’m in trouble for looking at illegal pornography online.

“I’m ashamed of this and will serve my punishment.

“I hope that you can forgive me.”

Copeland told police he had been downloading images of boys for “five or six years” and was interested in those aged 15 or over, although most of the images found involved 12-year-olds.

The court heard how Copeland has since taken part in courses run by paedophile treatment charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

Judge Goodin said sentencing guidelines allowed him to jail Copeland for a short period of time but in light of his “public humiliation” and “genuine remorse” he decided on a non-custodial sentence.

He said: “There is absolutely no reason to suppose that you have ever presented a risk to any child in your long career in education, or indeed to any other child in terms of what they call contact offences.

“But you will be aware that there are child victims of this offending- the child victim in this case is a ten-year-old boy.

“Every time somebody downloads or clicks on such an image they foster a demand for the creation of more and the inevitable consequential harm and humiliation of a young child somewhere.

“Usually, nobody know who or where they are.”

However, Judge Goodin said Copeland could be rehabilitated and as a result a jail term was unnecessary.

He said: “I believe that you wanted to take the Lucy Faithfull course because you wish to put this terrible conduct behind you and tear yourself away from it.”

Copeland was handed a three-year community order and must take part in a 30 day internet sex offender rehabilitation programme.

He was also ordered to pay £425 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

A five year sexual harm prevention was also made to limit his contact with children under 16 years of age.

CREEP WAS ARRESTED AS SOON AS POLICE WERE ALERTED

VINCENT Copeland came to the attention of the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) when he changed his internet service provider and transferred indecent images between his old and new email accounts.

Their indecent content meant the alarm was automatically raised with CEOP.

CEOP then referred Copeland to Essex Police.

Officers from the force’s Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) secured a warrant on the same day they received the information on November 19 and arrested Copeland.

Copeland, realising his internet service provider had raised the alarm, destroyed his laptop.

Investigating officer DD Tony Miller, of POLIT, said: "This case was extremely concerning as not only did Copeland admit to accessing indecent images of children for years, he occupied positions of public trust serving as both a magistrate and a school governor and was heavily involved with his local church.

"Once we received the referral from CEOP we acted swiftly, arresting Copeland the same day and he readily admitted his offences.

"Although there is no evidence that Copeland carried out contact sexual abuse we have worked closely with Southend Council and the schools and church he was involved with to ensure that they have been kept fully up to date with the progress of this investigation.

"Essex Police is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities - not least our children - from serious harm and that remains our priority.”

James Courtenay, Southend Council cabinet member for children, said: “Vincent Copeland was an active and previously well respected member of the local community, carrying out various roles across the borough. 

"Mr Copeland was a co-opted member of the children and lifelong scrutiny committee (now People Scrutiny) from 2006 until late  2015.

"By law we must have a Catholic and Church of England representative on the scrutiny committee that deals with education, and Mr Copeland was the Catholic diocese nomination.

“As soon as we received notice that allegations had been made against him, we put our procedures into place and ensured that any ties he had with schools and children's services were immediately suspended while the police conducted their investigations.

"At the time we offered our full support and co-operation to Essex Police. 

"Throughout this time the protection of children has been our priority and I am pleased that this matter has now been brought to a close with the sentencing today."