BEN STEPHEN THOMAS BARRETT FROM LLANDEILO CAUGHT IN SHOCKING INDECENT IMAGE SCANDAL

A man with a troubling criminal history from the town of Llandeilo has admitted to serious breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, raising concerns about ongoing risks and violations of court restrictions. Ben Stephen Thomas Barrett, aged 28 and residing at Maes y Farchnad in Llandeilo, faced multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children, as well as violating court-imposed restrictions on his conduct.

The case was brought before Llanelli magistrates court on February 1, where it was revealed that Barrett had previously been subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) issued at Swansea Crown Court on August 15, 2016. Despite this, he was found to have been in possession of a mobile phone equipped with a camera, a device he was explicitly prohibited from owning under the terms of the order. The police's routine check at his home uncovered this violation, prompting further investigation.

Prosecutor Abul Hussein explained that during the police visit, officers discovered Barrett in possession of a mobile phone capable of taking and storing images, which was a direct breach of the court order. The phone was seized and examined, revealing internet search history that included terms such as “rape,” alongside the presence of indecent images of children. Specifically, the phone contained one image classified as Category B and another as Category C, along with an additional indecent photograph of a child. All these images were linked to offences committed at Barrett’s residence in Llandeilo.

Further details disclosed that Barrett had made an indecent photograph of a child, categorized as B, on March 24, 2017. Additionally, he was found to have created a Category C indecent image of a child on January 16 of the previous year, and possessed a prohibited image of a child on January 20, 2017. The classification system for such images ranges from Category A, the most severe, to Category C, the least, with all these offences occurring within his home environment.

District Judge David Parsons emphasized that the offences must be considered in light of Barrett’s prior conviction and the fact that he was in breach of a court order designed to prevent further harm. The seriousness of the offences meant that they could not be adequately addressed within the magistrates court, and thus, Barrett was granted conditional bail pending his next appearance.

Defense solicitor Peter Rhys Jones stated that Barrett purchased the mobile phone before his 2016 conviction, implying that the device was not acquired with malicious intent post-conviction. However, given the gravity of the offences, no further mitigation was accepted during the hearing. Barrett is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on February 23, where a more comprehensive judgment will be delivered regarding his actions and the appropriate penalties.