Distribution of Indecent Images - Client avoids prison

Case study summary

We represented a retired man who pleaded guilty to downloading and sending indecent images. We carefully prepared his mitigation and instructed an expert barrister for the Crown Court hearing. The Judge was persuaded not to send him to prison and gave him a suspended sentence.

Case study

Our client was a semi-retired man who had never been in trouble with the police before or had any experience with the criminal justice system.

He was charged with Distribution of Indecent Images contrary to s.1(1)(b) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978, and Making Indecent Images contrary to s. 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. He had suffered after a family member passed away and developed problems with alcohol addiction.

We took detailed instructions relating to his past and background to demonstrate his true character and that his offending has resulted from grief and alcohol addiction. We also obtained references from people who knew him well to help paint the picture of the person he truly was and the efforts he had made to rehabilitate himself.

It was based on this carefully prepared mitigation that the Court was persuaded that his punishment could be better served in the community with rehabilitation, and he was not sent to prison. Our client said that he felt that a cloud had been lifted from him and he could finally move forward with his life.