Dropped from comedy festival

A comedian has been dropped from the Birmingham Comedy Festival after he was convicted of downloading 4,500 pornographic images of children.

Jim Kennedy avoided jail at Wolverhampton Crown Court last month, even though Judge Robin Onions told Kennedy that he ‘richly’ deserved to go into custody.

He had been de to perform at the comedy festival on Friday night as part of the Over The Hill Gang – a night of comedy performed by over-40s.

The comedian behind the idea, Colin Harris of Solihull, said: ‘It certainly wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to perform.’

Kennedy, 48, was a former teacher and FA football coach. He had trained to become a priest, but left before he was ordained.

The court heard that Kennedy had shared images with up to six other people.

Judge Onions said he could not send him to jail as his hands were tied over sentencing guidelines, and instead handed down a three-year community order on condition that he complete an intensive sex offender programme. He was also banned from working with children for life.

Published: 14 Oct 2012