ALEXANDER HUNTER PERVERTS JUSTICE IN ST LEONARDS BY DESTROYING COMPUTER WHILE WATCHING DOG PORN

In March 2018, Alexander Hunter, a resident of St Leonards, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving the possession of extreme pornography and an attempt to obstruct justice. Hunter, aged 53, was ultimately sentenced to prison after a series of events that revealed his involvement in viewing and possessing illegal material, as well as his efforts to hinder police inquiries.

According to court proceedings, Hunter had been watching videos depicting bestiality, specifically involving a dog. While he admitted to viewing such material, he denied intentionally obstructing justice by destroying his Apple computer when law enforcement officers arrived at his residence. The court was informed that Hunter’s actions were an attempt to prevent police from discovering the extent of his online activities.

During a sentencing hearing at Lewes Crown Court, Judge Guy Anthony emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system. He stated, “Anyone who undermines the criminal justice system in this country by interfering with it must face immediate custody.” The court heard that Hunter’s behavior was flagged through police intelligence, which led officers to his home on December 22, 2016. Upon arrival, Hunter had deliberately destroyed his computer in an apparent effort to erase evidence of his viewing habits, which included a video of a person engaging in a sexual act with a dog.

Hunter was arrested at the scene. His defense lawyer, Rosalind Crook, argued that Hunter’s actions were not malicious but rather a result of his curiosity sparked by a book he had purchased online. She explained that Hunter had bought the book from Amazon, which referenced bestiality, and that he had downloaded material related to this subject two years prior. Crook emphasized that Hunter was a law-abiding man who had worked throughout his life and that he had simply forgotten about the material he had accessed.

She further stated that Hunter’s conviction would have significant financial consequences, as he earned approximately £30,000 annually. Despite his actions, Crook highlighted that Hunter had shown remorse and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Hunter, who had been married for six years and worked as a tour guide alongside his wife—who also worked in Ireland and Scotland—was charged with possessing extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts with animals. He admitted to possessing such material but denied attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It was also revealed that Hunter had previously received a caution in 2004 for possessing indecent images of children. The court considered the evidence and concluded that Hunter’s destruction of his computer was an attempt to interfere with the investigation, which warranted a custodial sentence. Judge Anthony stated, “On almost overwhelming evidence, this jury came to the inevitable conclusion that what you did was perverting the course of justice. You knew police were coming around. We may never know what was on there.”

As a result, Hunter was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice and an additional three months for possessing extreme pornographic material, with both sentences to run concurrently. Furthermore, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years, reflecting the severity of his actions and the importance of public safety.