Warning: Some readers may find details in this story disturbing.
A Brantford man who returned to viewing “horrific” child pornography while awaiting sentencing on charges of looking at the same material has been sent to prison.
“The nature of the videos is horrific,” said assistant Crown attorney Alex Burns of Joseph Gorham-Mudford’s collection.
He said the videos showed boys from infancy to their early teens.
Burns said that Gorham-Mudford, according to the pre-sentence report, rationalized his behavior by saying he felt he did nothing wrong.
“He said, ‘I was only watching. I would never hurt anyone’.”
Defense lawyer Igor Vilkhov said his client has lower than average comprehension issues but Justice Robert Gee shot back that the man knew what he was doing.
“It doesn’t take a high degree of intelligence to know abusing a three-year-old child is wrong,” said the judge.
“He knew it was wrong. In the pre-sentence report, he said, ‘I kept the volume off so I didn’t have to hear them scream’.”
Gorham-Mudford was arrested on child pornography charges in March 2020. With no criminal record, he was released on bail. Last February, he was arrested again and kept in custody.
In court, he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography, distribution or selling child pornography and breaching release conditions.
The defense called Gorham-Mudford to testify about the terrible jail conditions he faced in more than six months at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton.
Put into protective custody due to the nature of his charges, Gorham-Mudford said he slept on a mattress on the floor for almost his entire time. One time, he was jumped by other prisoners.
He also said that both he and his mother were blackmailed.
Vikhov noted that the punishment for having child pornography has increased.
“My client is aware he’s going to pay a heavy price.”
Gorham-Mudford told the judge he feels “bad about everything.”
“We believe you feel bad,” responded Gee, noting that abused children end up living tragic lives.
“We want you to feel bad because these aren’t victimless crimes. These children are somebody’s sons, daughters and grandkids. These are actual live people and probably still out there, harmed by the abuse that will affect them the rest of their lives.”
Gee said the courts have been steadily increasing the penalties for making, supplying and consuming child pornography.
“It has to be stamped out,” he said.
“It’s a red flag to have such a compulsion that you went back to it while released on bail and awaiting sentencing.”
The Crown asked for a four-year prison sentence, while defense suggested three.
Citing Gorham-Mudford’s lack of record, Gee sentenced him to 3 1/2 years, less the enhanced time he’s already served of 287 days.
Graham-Mudford will be on the sexual offenders registry for the rest of his life.
And, for 10 years after his release, he is prohibited from using the Internet unless it’s for work or under the direct supervision of an adult who knows about his convictions.
@EXPSGamble