DAVID LAVERS FROM NEWLYN CAUGHT WITH OVER 400 INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN IN PENSIONER'S SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Newlyn, a pensioner in his sixties, identified as David John Lavers, has admitted to possessing a significant collection of indecent images of children. The incident came to light in July 2016 when police seized his electronic devices and uncovered more than 400 such images, prompting a serious legal response.

David Lavers, aged 65 and residing at Navy Inn Court in Newlyn, appeared before Truro Magistrates’ Court to face multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent photographs of minors. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of a child, with these offenses occurring in Penzance between January and July of the previous year. Additionally, he admitted to possessing indecent photographs spanning from June 2012 to July 2015.

During the court proceedings, Alison May, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, explained that the charges stemmed from an ongoing investigation into this type of criminal behavior. The police had conducted a thorough search of Lavers’ electronic devices, including his laptop, USB stick, and mobile phone. The investigation revealed a disturbing collection of images: 23 categorized as Category A, which denotes the most severe form of indecency, 13 images classified as Category B, and a staggering 404 images falling under Category C, indicating less severe but still illegal content.

Lavers admitted to officers that he had visited various chat sites on the internet. While he claimed he was not interested in images of child sexual abuse, he acknowledged that he had engaged in conversations on these platforms that involved sexualized talk about children. He described these interactions as fantasies and admitted to using false profiles at times to conceal his identity.

Legal representatives for Lavers, including Barry Hilliard, addressed the court, stating that their client had inadvertently drifted into this dark world and found it difficult to extricate himself. Hilliard emphasized that Lavers recognized he had a problem and described his interest in children as unhealthy. The defense argued that Lavers’ current restricted lifestyle had contributed to his dysfunction and that his being caught was, in some ways, a relief, as it marked the beginning of his path toward rehabilitation.

In sentencing, the magistrates imposed a six-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 24 months. Lavers was also ordered to pay costs and charges amounting to £185. Furthermore, a sexual harm prevention order was issued against him, restricting his activities for a period of seven years to prevent any further harm.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about online safety and the importance of vigilance in monitoring and addressing such disturbing behaviors within communities like Newlyn and beyond.