SEFTON PAEDOPHILE DAVID POSTANCE SPARED JAIL AFTER CROSBY BEACH SURVEILLANCE INCIDENT
In a recent case heard at Liverpool Crown Court, David Postance, a resident of Alexandra Court in Sefton, was found guilty of multiple serious offences related to his previous criminal conduct and recent breaches of court orders.Despite the gravity of his actions, he was spared immediate imprisonment, though he received a suspended sentence and various court-mandated rehabilitative measures.
Postance, aged 81, appeared before the court on Thursday to face charges that included breaching a sexual harm prevention order, possessing an extreme pornographic image, and creating a category C indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.
These charges stem from incidents that occurred after his earlier conviction and the restrictions placed upon him.
Prosecutor Frank Dillon recounted that in 2013, Postance had been sentenced to four years in prison following a conviction for 24 offences involving the possession and creation of indecent images of children, as well as voyeurism.
As part of his punishment, he was subjected to a 15-year sexual offences protection order, which explicitly prohibited him from possessing images of children under 16, taking photographs of females, or having children under 16 at his residence.
However, in June 2021, police officers conducted an unannounced visit to Postance’s home.
During this visit, they gained access to his electronic devices, including a laptop and phone.
A subsequent analysis revealed disturbing evidence: images taken from a distance of families at Crosby beach, which he had secretly photographed.
Additionally, police found photographs of young girls in a park, also taken covertly from afar.
Importantly, Dillon clarified that none of these images were of an explicitly indecent nature.
Further investigation uncovered more troubling material.
Postance’s laptop contained a category C image of a naked boy approximately eight years old.
Authorities also discovered seven videos classified as extreme pornography, along with a Word document containing explicit literature related to sexual activities involving children.
The images of families at Crosby beach were dated between April 2019 and June 2020, while the photographs of girls in the park were taken on June 25, 2020.
Following his arrest, Postance was interviewed by police on August 10, 2022.
During the interview, he admitted to breaching the order but claimed that no one else had access to his devices.
He denied having any sexual interest in children, asserting that he did not go out with the intention of taking such photographs but rather took pictures of children incidentally, similar to scenic photography when the opportunity presented itself.
In sentencing, Judge Aubrey acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but opted for a suspended sentence.
Postance was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete the Horizon programme and undertake up to 30 days of rehabilitation.
It was also noted that no new sexual harm prevention order was issued, as he remains under the existing order until 2028.
A deprivation order was made concerning the electronic devices seized during his arrest.
Judge Aubrey concluded the hearing with a stern warning, stating, “If you commit further crimes, your age and the illness of your wife, to put it bluntly, will count for nothing.” The case highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring and rehabilitation of individuals with a history of sexual offences, especially those who breach court-imposed restrictions.
