COLIN FLETT FROM BAYDON SHAMES HIMSELF AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

In October 2009, the community of Baydon was shaken by the revelation of Colin Flett’s criminal activities involving indecent images of children. Flett, a 66-year-old grandfather of seven, publicly expressed his deep remorse and shame after his actions came to light, which had been driven by what he described as 'prurient curiosity.'

His wife, Carol, was unaware of his illicit activities until the police unexpectedly raided their home on Aldbourne Road, Baydon, near Swindon. The officers seized Flett’s computer, uncovering a disturbing collection of images that had been downloaded over a period of approximately six years. This discovery not only shocked the family but also led to Flett’s conviction as a paedophile, resulting in his placement on the sex offenders’ register for the next five years.

Flett, a retired company director, expressed profound regret for his actions, acknowledging that his own foolishness and lack of restraint had caused immense harm to his family and jeopardized his relationships with his children and grandchildren. He admitted that most of the images he accessed depicted young girls aged between 10 and 14, and that these images were at the lowest level of severity on the scale used to categorize such material.

The story first gained public attention on October 16, when Flett appeared before Swindon Crown Court. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to nine charges of making indecent images of children and one charge of possession. Flett stated that no punishment could truly compensate for the pain he had inflicted on his loved ones and the damage to their trust.

He explained that after retiring in 2002, he found himself with more free time, which he initially spent viewing adult pornography on his home computer. However, he admitted that he had stumbled upon indecent images of children by accident while following links from adult content. Flett confessed that he was doing this while his wife Carol was out, although he insisted it was only driven by 'prurient curiosity.'

The court was informed that Flett had paid to join a child pornography website, which ultimately led to his identification by police. In December 2006, he used his credit card to pay $80 US dollars to access the site, an action that was uncharacteristic of his usual careful financial behavior. His wife, Carol, remarked on this, saying, 'It was so unlike him to spend money like that. He was so careful with money and wouldn’t even buy a lottery ticket.'

An investigation revealed that Flett had been seeking images of children, either engaged in sexual acts with other children or posed sexually, for a period of six to seven years. Authorities found a total of 3,878 indecent images on his computer. As a result, the court sentenced him to a three-year community order and ordered him to pay £500 in costs, but did not impose a jail sentence. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Baydon, highlighting the serious consequences of such criminal behavior.