Julian Myerscough

Julian Myerscough (born 1962 in Bolton, Lancashire) is a writer, record producer (of reissues of Edwardian music hall) and broadcaster, contributor for BBC Radio 4. He was educated at Bolton School, Bolton Technical College and then the University of London where his first degree was in Medieval Archaeology, and in later life at the University of East Anglia where he studied Law to postgraduate level.

Career
He was subsequently a law lecturer at the Norwich Law School of the University of East Anglia. He lives in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

A recent publication: "Fragson: The Triumphs and the Tragedy" by Andrew Lamb and Julian Myerscough (ISBN 0-9524149-4-5) about the celebrated Anglo-French entertainer Harry Fragson is typical of the authors' insight, academic rigour and good humour.

Arrest
In June 2009, Myerscough was arrested on charges of child pornography. He was charged in November 2009 for 16 counts of making (that is, viewing) indecent images of children (for UK legal pornographic usage that is persons who are under the age of 18 or might be considered to look under the age of 18) and one count of possessing an indecent image of children. Myerscough first appeared in court when the case was heard by Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 17, 2009 (a formal stage before any plea is made.) Myerscough claimed the charges would be defended "with rigour".

On 29 December 2009 at Ipswich Crown Court Myerscough pleaded not guilty to all charges, his counsel making an outline defence statement which contained an "absolute" defence; consequently a further preliminary hearing is to be held at Ipswich in March 2010 to arrange a full trial (if need be) some time in the summer of 2010.

The full trial commenced on Monday 1 November 2010 where Myerscough denied 16 offences of making indecent images (that is, downloading or viewing) of children (that is under the age of 18 years) between 1999 and June 17 last year and now four offences of possessing indecent images of children. Part way through the trial Myerscough formally dismissed his barrister and decided to represent himself which he claimed was his intent all along. On Wednesday 17 November 2010 Myerscough gave his closing speech amidst controversy as to the procedure by the Crown, widely reported in the press.

After three days of deliberations the jury found Myerscough not guilty of fifteen of twenty charges. Of the five guilty verdicts, three were by majority decisions. He was however sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment, seven and half months of which he served, first at Norwich and then at Littlehey prison.

Myerscough continues his appeal against conviction.