PINXTON MAN DANIEL SCARLE CAUGHT WITH DOG PORN IN DERBYSHIRE

In July 2019, authorities in Derbyshire uncovered a disturbing case involving Daniel Scarle, a resident of Pinxton, who was found to possess a highly inappropriate and illegal video involving sexual acts with a dog. The incident came to light during an investigation into a series of burglaries in the area.

Police officers, while conducting their inquiries, apprehended Scarle outside the Meadows Care Home on Mansfield Road in Alfreton. During the arrest, they approached him after he inquired about a cigarette paper. As part of their investigation, they recovered several items from him, including his mobile phone. A forensic analysis of the device revealed a five-minute video depicting bestiality, which was considered a serious criminal offense.

Despite the discovery, no charges related to the burglaries were filed against Scarle. Instead, he was charged specifically with possession of extreme pornography, namely the animal sex video. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Scarle had received the video via social media and believed he had deleted it from his phone. His defense lawyer emphasized that Scarle has no interest in or predisposition toward such sexual behavior, suggesting that the material was unsolicited and accidental.

Judge Shaun Smith QC addressed the court, expressing understanding that Scarle was not in control of the content he received. The judge stated, “You are not in control of what you receive (on your mobile phone). I could receive a WhatsApp message now with a disgusting image on it. But you are in control of what you delete.” He further explained that this case was unusual because it did not involve someone who habitually views indecent images but rather someone who received inappropriate material unexpectedly.

Sarah Allen, prosecuting, recounted that police encountered Scarle in October 2017, when he was outside the care home. She explained that officers had been investigating recent burglaries in the area and that Scarle approached them asking for a cigarette paper. During the subsequent search at the police station, they recovered his mobile phone, which contained the illicit video. Scarle was interviewed but responded with “no comment” to questions about the material.

It was also disclosed that Scarle, aged 29 at the time, had a criminal record comprising 19 previous convictions for 27 offenses, none of which involved sexual misconduct. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to possessing the extreme pornographic video. Chris Hallas, representing Scarle, argued that his client had no predisposition for such behavior and suggested that the material was received from an acquaintance and was not something Scarle sought out.

Judge Smith concluded by emphasizing the nature of the offense, stating, “It is just something he has received from some idiot of a mate. What’s happened is he’s received an unsolicited message from someone he then blocked and thought that image had been deleted from his phone. He definitely thought he had got rid of it.” The judge fined Scarle £150, underscoring the seriousness of possessing such material, even if it was believed to have been deleted, and acknowledged his guilty plea as a mitigating factor.