OLDBURY MAN CHRISTOPHER JONES ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES

In August 2012, Christopher Jones, a graduate from Oldbury, was found to have shared indecent images of children online from his home. Despite possessing over 12,000 obscene photographs on his computer, he received a community order instead of prison time.

During his sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Murray Creed commented, “You became involved in something very serious involving a number of sexual images of children. What makes it particularly serious are the last four counts which involve trading them with other people.” Nevertheless, he opted for a three-year community order, aiming to protect the public and prevent future offenses.

The judge considered Jones’s prior circumstances, including the loss of his job, his damaged reputation, and his relationship. Jones, aged 29, of Grove Road, Oldbury, admitted to six counts of possessing indecent images and four counts related to distribution. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.

Prosecutor Rhydian James explained that authorities received intelligence that Jones was using his computer to share obscene images. Officers from the online safeguarding team visited his home, where his girlfriend informed them that Jones was away on business in Bracknell. He was subsequently arrested by Thames Valley police.

Jones confessed to having an addiction to pornography, initially downloading adult content before progressing to more taboo material out of boredom. He revealed that he used a file-sharing site and engaged in role-playing discussions with others regarding exchanged images. He also admitted to deriving sexual gratification from viewing the images and admitted to recording a video of a semi-naked young girl.

His defense lawyer, James Turner, stated that Jones was previously employed professionally and expressed remorse for his actions.