DARREN SMITH FROM SPALDING MOOR ESCAPES JAIL AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN EAST YORKSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Spalding Moor and the wider East Yorkshire region, Darren Smith, aged 52, was found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, yet he narrowly avoided a custodial sentence. The incident came to light after police traced his IP address in connection with the illegal material he had downloaded onto his computer.

Police investigations revealed that Smith had been actively involved in the creation and distribution of highly disturbing images. When his devices were finally examined in June 2019, nearly a year after his initial tracking in June 2018, authorities uncovered a cache of illegal content. The evidence included three Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, along with one video. Additionally, there were 60 images categorized as Category B and 79 as Category C, indicating a significant collection of illicit material.

During the court proceedings at Hull Crown Court, prosecutor Richard Thompson detailed the extent of Smith’s offenses. Among the most shocking were two “extreme” images that Smith had personally created. In these images, he superimposed the faces of young girls onto sexually explicit scenes involving animals and adult men. One such image depicted a woman being mounted by a dog, with the face of his adult victim superimposed onto the woman. Another set of images involved the faces of a 12-year-old girl and her friend placed onto men with erect penises, further illustrating the disturbing nature of his actions.

When questioned during police interviews, Smith admitted to viewing pornography but denied actively seeking out images of children. He claimed that he had been involved in file sharing on the internet, which could have resulted in the accidental download of such images. He also stated that he had created the Photoshop images, asserting that he found the process “therapeutic” and that he did not have a sexual interest in the young victim involved.

The impact on the young girl victim was profound. Her victim impact statement, prepared with the help of her teachers, revealed the deep psychological scars left by the abuse. She described feelings of loneliness and suicidal thoughts, recounting how she had attempted to overdose twice and felt as though she would never recover. The statement expressed her loss of trust in others, her difficulty in opening up about her experiences, and her diminished self-esteem. She emphasized that at her age, she should not have to fear men or worry about how they might treat her in the future.

In sentencing, Judge Ahmed Nadim acknowledged the severity of Smith’s crimes but chose to avoid a custodial sentence. Instead, he imposed a two-year community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities, 250 hours of unpaid work, and registration on the Sex Offender Register. The judge explained that, given Smith’s previous good character and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a community-based sentence was deemed appropriate. However, he was clear in his disapproval of Smith’s actions, stating that he was not convinced by the defendant’s explanations and emphasizing the harm inflicted on the young victim.

Judge Nadim concluded by highlighting the tragic consequences of Smith’s conduct, noting that while he could have been sent to prison, the focus was on rehabilitation and ensuring that Smith acquires the skills necessary to prevent future offending. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the production and distribution of child exploitation material, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable victims across East Yorkshire and beyond.