ALEXANDER FLINTHAM FROM KIRK SANDALL ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN DONCASTER

In December 2012, a disturbing case involving Alexander Lee Flintham, a man from Kirk Sandall, came to light in Doncaster. Flintham, described as a 'friendless' individual, was found to have committed serious offenses involving the exploitation of a young child. The case centered around his use of a camera phone to capture indecent images of a four-year-old girl, an act that shocked the local community and drew significant attention from law enforcement authorities.

Police officers raided Flintham’s family home in Kirk Sandall, uncovering a disturbing collection of digital material. On his computers, investigators discovered hundreds of pornographic images and videos depicting children, some of which were of a highly indecent nature. The extent of his online activity revealed a long-standing pattern of seeking sexual gratification through the viewing of hardcore child pornography, a problem that had persisted over a significant period.

At Doncaster Crown Court, Flintham, aged 30 and residing on Tarleton Close, pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges. These charges included making and possessing indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed that Flintham had taken explicit photographs of the young girl, with the most troubling evidence being two images captured on his phone. These images showed the girl, who was only four years old, in a vulnerable situation with Flintham having come into contact with her.

Prosecutor Neil Coxon described the findings, stating that nearly 340 images of varying degrees of indecency were located on Flintham’s devices. The police investigation uncovered that Flintham admitted to feeling excited by the prospect of finding such images, acknowledging that the thrill was his primary motivation. He was aware that possessing such material was illegal but continued his behavior nonetheless.

During the court hearing, Flintham’s defense counsel, Kath Goddard, argued that her client had not distributed the images nor actively encouraged the young girl to pose for him. Instead, she suggested that Flintham had taken advantage of an opportunity when it arose, without furthering the exploitation beyond the initial act.

Despite the gravity of the charges and the evidence presented, Judge Jacqueline Davies chose not to impose a custodial sentence. Instead, she expressed her view that Flintham required treatment rather than imprisonment. She acknowledged the difficulty of the case but decided that a community order would be more appropriate. Flintham was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes attending a one-to-one sex offender program. The judge also ordered quarterly reports to monitor his progress and warned that failure to comply could result in jail time.

Additional restrictions were placed on Flintham’s freedom, including a curfew from 7 pm to 6 am for three months. Furthermore, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his activities and prevent further offenses. The court’s decision reflected a complex balance between punishment, treatment, and public safety, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in cases involving child exploitation and online abuse.