CHRISTOPHER DUNN FROM CHERRY HINTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IMAGES IN CAMBRIDGE

In January 2012, a man from Cherry Hinton named Christopher Dunn was handed a significant prison sentence after being found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, including some of the most disturbing and explicit material involving the rape of a toddler. The case drew considerable attention due to the severity of the images involved and Dunn’s prior criminal history.

Christopher Dunn, who resides on Iver Close in Cherry Hinton, was convicted of two counts of making indecent photographs and one count of possessing such images. The charges stemmed from the discovery of more than 40 digital files, both still images and videos, which depicted highly disturbing acts of child abuse. Among these, 253 images were classified as level four, indicating serious indecency, while four others were rated at level five, the most severe category, involving explicit and heinous content such as the rape of a young child.

The Cambridge magistrates court heard that Dunn had previously been convicted in 2003 for similar offenses involving indecent photographs of children. He had completed a sex offenders treatment program at that time. The recent charges were based on computer equipment seized from his home in June 2010, which contained the illicit material. Prosecutor Charles Kellett stated that Dunn claimed he had downloaded the files as part of a bulk download, claiming they were not specifically targeted. However, the prosecution emphasized that such an explanation was insufficient, asserting that the nature of the files indicated deliberate collection rather than accidental download.

During the trial, Dunn, aged 28, pleaded guilty on the first day in December. His defense lawyer, James Earle, argued that the images found on Dunn’s computer were predominantly adult pornography, used solely for personal gratification, and that Dunn had not gained financially from his actions. Earle also highlighted that Dunn was battling a pornography addiction, which he claimed was for personal use only, and that he was deeply ashamed of his conduct. The lawyer pointed out that Dunn had made positive strides since his previous conviction in 2003, including training as an electrician and managing to reduce his consumption of pornography when he kept himself busy.

However, the presiding judge, Gareth Hawkesworth, expressed a different view. He stated that the court did not agree with the probation officer’s assessment that these offenses did not represent an escalation in Dunn’s offending behavior. The judge emphasized the disturbing nature of the images, especially those depicting the rape of a child aged between two and three years old, which he described as “difficult to understand” how such material could be dismissed as non-escalatory.

As a result, Dunn was sentenced to four years in prison for each of the three charges, to be served concurrently. Additionally, he received a further two years on extended license, was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and was ordered to register as a sex offender. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, especially given the disturbing content involved and Dunn’s prior criminal record.