CHRISTOPHER SMITH FROM NORTH BRADLEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN SWINDON

In a highly controversial decision, Christopher Smith, a 23-year-old resident of Broadley Park in North Bradley, has avoided a custodial sentence despite being found guilty of possessing a significant collection of child pornography. The case, which was heard at Swindon Crown Court, revealed that Smith had amassed over 4,500 disturbing images depicting children being abused, a fact that has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about justice and rehabilitation.

Smith admitted to downloading these images for his own sexual gratification, a revelation that came to light during the court proceedings. According to sentencing guidelines, he should have faced at least a year in prison for his actions. However, Judge John McNaught opted for a different approach, choosing to impose a three-year probation order instead of incarceration. This decision sparked debate among legal experts and advocacy groups alike.

During the hearing, it was disclosed that nearly 700 of the images in Smith’s collection depicted adults engaged in sexual acts with children. Additionally, 30 images were identified as involving sadomasochism or bestiality, further emphasizing the disturbing nature of the material he possessed. The court also heard that Smith’s offending began when he was 17 years old, and he continued to view and download such material until his arrest four years later.

Shaun Kelly, representing the national children’s charity NCH, expressed his concern over the case, stating, “For those images to be made, children were abused, even if it was not directly by this person. I would be concerned that he was getting the appropriate treatment. Downloading sexual images of children is very serious and needs to be taken seriously.”

Prosecutor Paul Cook provided further details, revealing that Smith’s mother had contacted police in March 2004 after discovering her son had viewed and printed child pornography images. Smith admitted that his interest in such material began when he was 17 and persisted until his arrest in 2004. He confessed to making 20 counts of indecent images of children and one count of possession.

Defense lawyer Alex Daymond highlighted the impact of the charges on Smith, noting that the case had been hanging over his client for more than two years since his arrest. He emphasized the importance of considering Smith’s family support and his honesty with authorities, which influenced the judge’s decision to opt for community-based treatment rather than imprisonment.

Judge McNaught explained that the decision was made partly because of Smith’s cooperation and the potential for rehabilitation through a sex offenders’ treatment program. As part of his sentence, Smith is required to register as a sex offender for five years and pay £85 in costs. He is also subject to a five-year registration requirement, which is standard for such cases.

Following the sentencing, Pc Simon Guerri-Fear, the officer in charge of the case, stated, “It would be inappropriate to comment on this specific case because legal proceedings may still be ongoing.” He added that if the police or Crown Prosecution Service believe the sentence is too lenient, they have the option to appeal to the Attorney General, and the case could then be reviewed by an appeal court, ensuring that justice is thoroughly examined.