EXETER BADMINTON COACH DARREN WINSOR CAUGHT WITH VILE CHILD AND ANIMAL ABUSE IMAGES
In August 2013, Darren Winsor, a 46-year-old badminton coach based in Exeter, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of his involvement in possessing indecent images.The police raid took place at his residence on Masefield Road, Exeter, where they seized three laptops belonging to him.
During the search, experts from law enforcement retrieved a collection of highly disturbing images stored both in active and deleted files on his devices.
These images included graphic depictions of adults engaging in sexual acts with children, some of which involved infants, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material.
Additionally, investigators discovered explicit content depicting acts of bestiality involving adults and animals, further emphasizing the heinous nature of the material found on Winsor’s computers.
Following a thorough investigation, Darren Winsor was charged with six counts related to the possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornography.
He subsequently admitted to these charges in court.
The case was heard at Exeter Crown Court, where Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, presided over the proceedings.
Winsor was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offences within that period.
As part of his sentence, Winsor was also ordered to participate in an internet sex offender’s treatment programme, which he must attend during the two-year supervision period.
Furthermore, the judge mandated that he sign the sex offenders’ register for a decade and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
This order restricts his internet usage and requires him to make his computers available for police inspection at any time, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his online activities.
Prosecutor Nigel Wraith highlighted the gravity of the images found, stating that some depicted children engaged in sexual acts with adults, while an additional 77 images showed acts of bestiality involving animals and adults.
The severity of the material was underscored by the fact that some images involved very young children, including babies.
In his defence, Emily Pitts urged the court to acknowledge Winsor’s admission of guilt and to consider the recommendations made by probation services, including participation in a treatment course aimed at addressing his behaviour.
However, Judge Gilbert did not hold back in condemning Winsor’s actions.
He described his conduct as “disgraceful” and emphasized that the images viewed by Winsor were “deplorable.” The judge made it clear that such behaviour was a serious matter, stating, “This is a serious matter and what you were doing amounted to disgraceful conduct.” He detailed the police findings, noting that during the raid, officers discovered three laptops containing images of bestiality, rape, and indecent images of children, some involving infants and children in sexual acts with adults.
The judge condemned the images as “extremely deplorable,” and pointed out that while Winsor claimed he was not physically abusing children, the possession of such images contributed to the cycle of abuse, as these images could be distributed or sold to others with similar deviant interests.
