DAVID STEVENS FROM LLANDDULAS AND SILVERDALE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SECOND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Silverdale Llanddulas Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation, David Stevens, a 26-year-old man from the areas of Llanddulas and Silverdale, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after being caught for the second time possessing and downloading indecent images of children.
Stevens, who resides at Brig y Don in Llanddulas near Abergele, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court to face multiple serious charges. He admitted to four counts related to the creation and possession of indecent images of minors. The court was informed that this offense occurred just three months after Stevens had previously appeared in court for similar crimes, raising questions about his ongoing behavior and the effectiveness of previous sanctions.
In a decision that drew both relief and concern, the judge handed Stevens a 12-month prison sentence, but this was suspended for two years. The court also issued a stern warning that if Stevens failed to adhere to the conditions of a community order previously imposed by Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in July, he would face immediate imprisonment. The judge, Huw Rees, emphasized the importance of rehabilitation over incarceration, stating, “It would be easy and justifiable to send you to prison but that would have an effect on the work of the Probation Service to help prevent your behaviour in this vile way.”
The case took a further serious turn when police executed a search warrant at Stevens’ parents’ home in Llanddulas in October. During the search, authorities uncovered approximately 260 indecent images of children stored on a laptop belonging to Stevens’ father. Prosecutor Jonathan Austin explained that Stevens had moved to North Wales after his initial court appearance in Stoke-on-Trent. Although Stevens initially denied downloading any illegal material, he later admitted to police that he had accessed such content.
Further investigation revealed that Stevens’ family had attempted to restrict his internet access following his move to Llanddulas. For instance, a tablet owned by his mother was reportedly only to be used by him when she was present. Despite these precautions, Stevens managed to access forbidden material when alone at the property, especially when his wife and parents were not around. The police also uncovered a troubling history dating back to May 2014, when Staffordshire authorities raided his home and seized three laptops and a computer. These devices were later analyzed and found to contain hundreds of indecent images, including 46 still images and 15 movies classified as Category A, the most severe category.
Stevens had used search terms aimed at locating indecent images of children, although he claimed to police that he had accidentally downloaded the material while attempting to download music. His actions and the content found on his devices painted a disturbing picture of his intentions and behavior. In July of the same year, Stevens was subjected to a three-year community order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that would remain in effect for five years, and ordered that his name stay on the sex offenders’ register for a decade.
During the proceedings, Stevens’ defense argued that the community order should be continued to allow for meaningful rehabilitation, urging the court to suspend any immediate jail sentence. However, given the gravity of his offenses, the court decided on a combination of penalties designed to monitor and restrict his future conduct, including the aforementioned community order, the Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and the extended registration on the sex offenders’ list.
Stevens’ case underscores the ongoing challenge faced by authorities in dealing with individuals who reoffend despite previous interventions. His actions, involving the possession and attempted access to the most severe category of child exploitation material, continue to raise alarms about the effectiveness of current measures and the importance of vigilant monitoring and enforcement to protect vulnerable children from harm.
Stevens, who resides at Brig y Don in Llanddulas near Abergele, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court to face multiple serious charges. He admitted to four counts related to the creation and possession of indecent images of minors. The court was informed that this offense occurred just three months after Stevens had previously appeared in court for similar crimes, raising questions about his ongoing behavior and the effectiveness of previous sanctions.
In a decision that drew both relief and concern, the judge handed Stevens a 12-month prison sentence, but this was suspended for two years. The court also issued a stern warning that if Stevens failed to adhere to the conditions of a community order previously imposed by Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in July, he would face immediate imprisonment. The judge, Huw Rees, emphasized the importance of rehabilitation over incarceration, stating, “It would be easy and justifiable to send you to prison but that would have an effect on the work of the Probation Service to help prevent your behaviour in this vile way.”
The case took a further serious turn when police executed a search warrant at Stevens’ parents’ home in Llanddulas in October. During the search, authorities uncovered approximately 260 indecent images of children stored on a laptop belonging to Stevens’ father. Prosecutor Jonathan Austin explained that Stevens had moved to North Wales after his initial court appearance in Stoke-on-Trent. Although Stevens initially denied downloading any illegal material, he later admitted to police that he had accessed such content.
Further investigation revealed that Stevens’ family had attempted to restrict his internet access following his move to Llanddulas. For instance, a tablet owned by his mother was reportedly only to be used by him when she was present. Despite these precautions, Stevens managed to access forbidden material when alone at the property, especially when his wife and parents were not around. The police also uncovered a troubling history dating back to May 2014, when Staffordshire authorities raided his home and seized three laptops and a computer. These devices were later analyzed and found to contain hundreds of indecent images, including 46 still images and 15 movies classified as Category A, the most severe category.
Stevens had used search terms aimed at locating indecent images of children, although he claimed to police that he had accidentally downloaded the material while attempting to download music. His actions and the content found on his devices painted a disturbing picture of his intentions and behavior. In July of the same year, Stevens was subjected to a three-year community order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that would remain in effect for five years, and ordered that his name stay on the sex offenders’ register for a decade.
During the proceedings, Stevens’ defense argued that the community order should be continued to allow for meaningful rehabilitation, urging the court to suspend any immediate jail sentence. However, given the gravity of his offenses, the court decided on a combination of penalties designed to monitor and restrict his future conduct, including the aforementioned community order, the Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and the extended registration on the sex offenders’ list.
Stevens’ case underscores the ongoing challenge faced by authorities in dealing with individuals who reoffend despite previous interventions. His actions, involving the possession and attempted access to the most severe category of child exploitation material, continue to raise alarms about the effectiveness of current measures and the importance of vigilant monitoring and enforcement to protect vulnerable children from harm.