DAVID SNUTCH FROM PADGATE JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN WARRINGTON

In May 2010, a man from Padgate, identified as 59-year-old David Snutch, was sentenced to prison at Warrington Crown Court following his conviction on serious charges related to child exploitation images. The case came to light after police seized Snutch’s computer in 2009, prompted by a friend who discovered disturbing photographs stored on his device.

Snutch, residing at Brant Field Court in Padgate, claimed during the investigation that he did not derive any sexual pleasure from the images. Instead, he asserted that his motive for possessing the photographs was solely to maintain contact with a woman he had met through an internet social networking chatroom. He argued that his actions were not driven by sexual gratification but by a desire to keep communication open with this online acquaintance.

However, the court was highly skeptical of Snutch’s explanation. During the sentencing hearing on Friday, the defence solicitor Philip Marks described Snutch’s justification as ‘outlandish’. He emphasized the damaging nature of such images, stating, “The child knows people are getting gratification hearing the click of the shutter. Watching perpetuates the abuse.”

Snutch had previously pleaded guilty to charges brought before town magistrates on March 15. These charges included one count of possessing indecent images of children and 15 counts of downloading such images. Following a police search of his residence, authorities confiscated his laptop and related accessories, uncovering a disturbing collection of images.

The police investigation revealed a total of 635 images across various levels of severity. Among these, 330 images were classified as Level One, representing the least severe category, while 16 images fell into Level Two. Additionally, 110 images were categorized as Level Three, and 179 images were deemed Level Four, which is the most severe tier of child exploitation imagery. The children depicted in these photographs ranged in age from approximately eight to sixteen years old. A mobile phone found at Snutch’s residence also contained a Level One image.

Judge Stephen Clarke addressed the court, emphasizing the lasting impact on victims. He stated, “They are the real victims and the effect it has on them in later life — to be used like that by adults — must be something they remember for the rest of their lives. People viewing the image provide a market for the people who make the images.”

Furthermore, the judge dismissed Snutch’s explanation as ‘totally unrealistic’ and questioned his claim of no sexual gratification. Snutch was sentenced to imprisonment and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the next seven years. Additionally, he had already been subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibited him from working with children, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the potential risk to the community.