PAEDOPHILE DAD JAILED FOR STRING OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A man from Leominster, Damien Lucas, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after being found guilty of a disturbing series of online child sex offences.The severity of his crimes includes an attempted solicitation of the rape of a child under the age of 13, among other horrific activities.
Damien Lucas, aged 36 and residing on New Street, Leominster, was identified with possession of hundreds of deeply disturbing images and videos depicting children being subjected to sexual abuse or torture.
Authorities uncovered these illicit materials, which Lucas had also shared, during their investigation.
On Tuesday, May 23, Lucas was officially sentenced to a prison term totalling 92 months at Hereford Crown Court.
He admitted guilt to eight counts related to child sexual offences that spanned from June 2021 up until February of this year.
It emerged during court proceedings that Lucas was previously unemployed and a father of three children.
Originally, he had been living in Chelmsley Wood before relocating to Leominster in 2021.
Detective Inspector Matt McNelis of West Mercia Police emphasised the gravity of Lucas’s crimes, stating: “Damien Lucas pleaded guilty to possessing hundreds of images, including 199 Category A images.
Each of these depicts the rape or torture of a child.
The possession, creation, and sharing of such materials perpetuate harm and re-victimise each victim endlessly.
We are working alongside partners such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Family Matters to combat this heinous trade that causes so much suffering.” The police official further highlighted the message behind the harsh sentence, emphasising its importance in deterring offenders: “A seven-year sentence sends a clear warning to online child sex offenders across the country.
Crimes involving the possession, creation, and dissemination of indecent images of children, as well as grooming to facilitate contact offences, are utterly vile.
Our department remains committed to fighting these offences tirelessly every day.” Lucas faced multiple charges involving images and activities that are classified as most severe under law, known as Category A, which involves penetrative sexual acts.
Specifically, he pleaded guilty to eight charges, which include attempts to facilitate the rape of a child under 13, along with making and sharing numerous indecent images of children across several dates.
These offences are detailed as follows: On October 26 last year, Lucas attempted to arrange or facilitate the rape of a child under 13.
On June 23, 2021, he produced indecent photos or pseudo-photos of children, including 114 images classified as Category A, 58 in Category B, and 270 in Category C.
Similarly, on February 28 this year, he made indecent images involving 85 Category A images, 101 Category B images, and 279 Category C images.
He also distributed one indecent image on October 26 last year, relating to a Category B image.
In addition to his prison sentence, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Lucas, which restricts his activities related to children.
Furthermore, he will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further abuse or offences.
