CLEMENT LINGWOOD FROM WATTS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN PLYMOUTH

In October 2017, a disturbing case unfolded at Plymouth Crown Court involving Clement Lingwood, a 66-year-old resident of Watts, who was found guilty of possessing and downloading indecent images of children. The court heard that Lingwood-Watts had engaged in this illicit activity over a span of nine years, during which he accumulated nearly 200 files containing such material.

According to the evidence presented, Lingwood-Watts initially began viewing adult pornography but soon transitioned to seeking out more disturbing content involving minors. The authorities discovered that he had stored approximately 181 indecent images across three different devices. While he admitted to possessing only seven original images, many of the files were copies, indicating repeated downloads and possibly attempts to conceal the extent of his activities.

During the proceedings, the Crown Prosecution Service, represented by Felicity Payne, clarified that the evidence did not establish the possession of a single Category A image, which is classified as the most severe form of child exploitation material. As a result, the charge related to that specific image was dropped, and the scheduled trial on that matter was canceled. Payne emphasized that the Crown was not seeking to prove the exact number of different images Lingwood-Watts had made or stored, but the focus remained on his possession and downloading of indecent images.

Judge Edward Burgess addressed the court, noting that Lingwood-Watts’s actions appeared to be driven by an addiction to internet pornography, which had led him to seek out increasingly disturbing material. In sentencing, he opted for a two-year community order, which includes 35 days of intensive probation supervision aimed at addressing his sexual offending behavior. Additionally, Lingwood-Watts is required to register as a sex offender for five years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. This order grants police authority to monitor his internet activity to prevent further offenses.

Furthermore, Lingwood-Watts was ordered to pay £500 towards the costs of prosecution. As part of the court’s measures to prevent future misuse of digital devices, his computers will be destroyed. The case highlights ongoing concerns about internet-based child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such crimes.