CORRAN BURTON FROM RHYDYMWYN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER VIEWING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN NORTH WALES

In a recent case heard at Caernarfon Crown Court, Corran Burton, a 19-year-old resident of Rhydymwyn, faced serious allegations related to the possession and viewing of indecent images of children. The proceedings revealed that Burton was involved in viewing such material between April 1, 2019, and March 13, 2020, a period during which authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of his activities.

Burton appeared before the court after entering a guilty plea at Mold Magistrates Court, acknowledging his involvement in the possession of indecent images. The case was initiated following a report from authorities after an email address linked to Burton was identified as the source of an uploaded indecent image on the internet. This prompted an investigation by North Wales Police, who acted swiftly to execute a warrant at Burton’s residence in Rhydymwyn in March of this year.

During the police operation, a number of items were seized, including Burton’s mobile phone. Initially, Burton claimed ownership of the device but denied that it contained any inappropriate images. However, subsequent forensic examination of the phone revealed the presence of multiple images, predominantly of young female children estimated to be between 5 and 12 years old. Importantly, the investigation found no live images or evidence of internet searches related to such material, suggesting that Burton’s activity was limited to viewing and storing images rather than actively seeking new content online.

Prosecutor Jemma Gordon outlined the findings to the court, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the images and Burton’s role in possessing them. Despite the severity of the case, Judge Timothy Petts acknowledged Burton’s vulnerability and ongoing maturity, stating that he had 'played his part' in viewing these images but was not a hardened offender. The judge also noted that a custodial sentence might not serve the best interest of rehabilitation, citing the lack of internet history searches and the fact that Burton’s involvement appeared to be more passive.

In light of these considerations, Burton was sentenced to a six-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to undertake 60 days of rehabilitation activities and complete 100 hours of unpaid community work. The court’s decision aimed to balance accountability with the recognition of Burton’s age and the potential for rehabilitation, while also emphasizing the importance of monitoring his future conduct in the community.