ANDREW LAMONT SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN KENSINGTON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the North Kensington community, Andrew Lamont, a former councillor and respected figure in the area, was found guilty of possessing and downloading indecent images of children, as well as viewing extreme pornography involving animals. The incident unfolded after police raided his residence in November 2010, following a report from his ex-wife, Sue McGregor, who discovered a magazine containing child exploitation images hidden in a shoebox within their home.

Lamont, aged 53, who previously served as a governor at St Anne's Nursery School in North Kensington, was caught with a disturbing collection of digital material. Court proceedings revealed that he had copied a total of 207 images depicting young girls as young as eight years old onto his computer. Among these, 27 images were classified as level four, indicating a very high severity, just below the most sadistic forms of child abuse imagery.

Further investigations uncovered that Lamont had also viewed thousands of extreme images involving animal pornography, stored on both an Apple computer and a hard disk drive. The Isleworth Crown Court heard detailed testimony about the extent of his online activity, which was characterized by a disturbing interest in highly graphic and illegal content.

During the police search, Lamont’s partial sight, which he claimed hindered his ability to see clearly on the computer screen, was noted. He admitted to using software to magnify images, which he said was necessary due to his visual impairment. Despite this, he was found to have engaged in illegal activities involving the possession and download of such material.

The court trial, which lasted over six hours, involved a jury of five women and seven men. They convicted Lamont on four counts of downloading indecent images of children and four counts of possessing extreme pornography involving animals. He was acquitted of a single count related to possessing a magazine containing indecent images, which his ex-wife had reported finding, as well as five additional counts of possessing extreme pornographic material.

Judge Andrew Johnson sentenced Lamont to a six-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, and imposed a fine of £20,000. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of such offenses, stating, “Those who make photographs of children go to prison. There were level four photographs of children which is an extremely high level, just short of sadistic photographs of children. The public has an obvious revulsion, quite rightly, of those who use computers for their own sexual gratification by downloading such images.”

He also addressed the possession of extreme pornography, noting Lamont’s background and the disturbing nature of the images involved. Despite the seriousness of the crimes, the judge acknowledged Lamont’s disability and his contributions to society through employment and public service. “It’s extraordinary you have possessed these images, which are obviously revolting as well. But I have to take into account that, very unusually in this case, you suffer from a disability although it hasn’t stopped you from committing these offences,” he stated.

Throughout the proceedings, Lamont showed no visible emotion as the verdict and sentence were announced. His defense lawyer, Michael Magarian, appealed for leniency, describing Lamont as a “nice, amiable man” of “impeccable character,” with support from colleagues and politicians who attested to his integrity. The lawyer argued that a custodial sentence would be particularly harsh given Lamont’s disability and the stigma he already faced.

Following his conviction, Lamont resigned from his position as councillor for Norland ward in North Kensington, just before his first court appearance. He had been elected in 2006 and served until his resignation last year. His marriage to Miss McGregor, which began in 1997, ended with their divorce last year.

In police interviews, Lamont claimed that his poor eyesight meant he was often unaware of what he was viewing on his computer screen. He also stated that he must have accidentally purchased the magazines during a holiday in Amsterdam approximately 25 years ago. He denied possessing indecent images of children, making indecent images, and possessing extreme pornography, but was nonetheless ordered to pay costs of over £5,200 and to register as a sex offender for ten years.