CONNOR FRIEL FROM LLANIDLOES SENTENCED FOR INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN IN MOLD

In November 2020, a man from Llanidloes named Connor Liam Friel, aged 22, faced serious legal consequences after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. The case was heard at Mold Crown Court, where Friel was convicted of possessing Category A indecent images, which are classified as the most severe type of such material. Despite the conviction, Friel maintained his innocence right up until the sentencing phase, refusing to accept the court's findings.

According to the prosecution, Andrew Green, police had been alerted to Friel’s online activities in 2018. Following this, law enforcement officials paid a visit to Friel’s residence on Bethel Street in Llanidloes. During the investigation, officers recovered a mobile phone from Friel, which contained images classified as Category A, depicting the sexual abuse of children. The phone also showed evidence of searches related to similar material, indicating a deliberate interest in such content.

Friel denied the charges throughout the trial, but the jury found him guilty after considering the evidence presented. The trial was overseen by Recorder John Philpotts, who also delivered the sentence at Mold Crown Court. In his sentencing remarks, the judge reviewed a pre-sentence report and considered references from Friel’s employers and family members. While acknowledging that the severity of the offense warranted custody, Recorder Philpotts chose to impose a suspended sentence, reflecting a degree of leniency.

Addressing Friel directly, the judge stated, “You were convicted on the clearest possible evidence. You’re still denying the offences today. These were two moving images of the most serious sort that come before the court. Two images is two too many.” As a result, Friel was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he received a concurrent one-month prison sentence, also suspended for 12 months. Friel is also required to register as a sex offender, a legal obligation that will follow him for the duration of the suspension period.