BERNARD PAYNE FROM DARTFORD JAILED FOR MAKING AND POSSESSING OVER 500 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Dartford, 61-year-old Bernard Payne has been sentenced to a 12-month prison term after being found guilty of creating and possessing a significant collection of indecent images of children. The conviction was handed down at Maidstone Crown Court, where detailed evidence revealed the extent of Payne's illicit activities.

Prosecutor Jane Scotchmer outlined to the court that Payne had accumulated a total of 346 indecent images, which were stored on two separate hard drives kept securely in a safe. In addition to these images, Payne also possessed 215 video clips of indecent material involving children. The court was informed that the majority of these images depicted young girls aged between three and 14 years old. Payne had organized and stored this material in specific folders labeled ‘paedo’ and ‘nonce,’ indicating a disturbing level of premeditation and organization in his activities.

Payne, who formerly resided on Mead Crescent in Dartford, pleaded guilty to seven charges related to the making of indecent photographs of children, as well as nine counts of possessing such images. The judge, Jeremy Carey, emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “There were in total 561 images, with a very substantial number being movie clips. These are real children who have no understanding of what is happening to them and who will be damaged to a great extent for the foreseeable future.”

He further condemned the commercial nature of such crimes, highlighting that those involved in this trade do so for financial gain without regard for the harm inflicted on the victims. Judge Carey noted that Payne had engaged in these activities over a period of nearly two years, persistently and in an organized manner, by saving the images to his hard drives.

During the hearing, Thomas Stern, representing Payne, argued that the case did not involve any commercial aspect, such as profit or distribution to others. He pointed out that there was no evidence suggesting Payne was involved in the creation of the images or that he supplied them to third parties.

In addition to the prison sentence, Payne was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order that will last for seven years. He is also mandated to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with legal restrictions designed to protect the community from further harm.