An ‘ashamed’ sex offender from Wiltshire has been jailed for sharing child and animal abuse images online.
Stephen Jones, 58, pleaded guilty to a string of sexual offences and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday (8 May).
Wiltshire Police said that the defendant, of Cowleaze in Purton, near Swindon, made, possessed and distributed extreme pornographic images involving children.
“Utterly ashamed and disgusted at his own actions and has sought to improve his understanding of himself”, his defence barrister told the court.
Judge James Townsend imposed a 28-month prison sentence.
He told Jones that his decision to view and distribute “appalling” images – including those of the worst possible category – had been deliberate and not a one-off impulsive decision.
Judge Townsend added that the “quite horrific” nature of the material outweighed any mitigating factors.
The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. His iPhone, iPad and storage devices were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
In total, Jones admitted the following offences:
- Making 250 Category A images
- Possession of 250 extreme pornographic images of bestiality
- Possession of a prohibited image of a child
- Distribution of 40 Category A images
- Distribution of 6 Category B images
- Distribution of 2 Category C images
- Making 82 Category B images
- Making 18 Category C images
Detective Constable Jason Walsh said: “Jones chose to share and download the most extreme category of vile abuse images for his own sexual gratification.
“This is not a victimless crime. We must never forget that each one of these images represents a stolen childhood and fuels the most appalling abuse and criminality.”
