DAVID STOKES OF WHITCHURCH BANNED FROM WORKING WITH CHILDREN AFTER INDECENT IMAGE DISCOVERY IN NORTH SHROPSHIRE

In March 2010, a former scout leader from north Shropshire, David Stokes of Egerton Road, Whitchurch, was sentenced after authorities uncovered over 15,000 indecent images of children at his residence.

Stokes appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday to admit to 12 counts of making indecent photographs of a child and four counts of possessing indecent images of a child.

The court was told that a total of 15,252 low-level images were found, along with more than 60 higher-level images. These charges pertain to activities spanning from September 10, 2005, to November 20, 2008. Having served as a scout leader for ten years, Stokes now faces significant restrictions.

Judge Robin Onions stated that although guidelines could have resulted in a short custodial sentence, such an option would not have addressed the underlying issues. Consequently, Stokes was sentenced to a three-year community order with supervision and was mandated to participate in a community sex offender group work programme.

Additionally, Stokes was placed under notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act and received a sexual offences prevention order for five years. This order includes a condition prohibiting him from having unsupervised contact with individuals under 16. He was also ordered to pay costs of £340.

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Bacon explained that the police executed a warrant early in the morning on April 29, 2009. During the operation, they seized Stokes’ computer tower, hard drive, 112 discs, and one DVD.

Stokes was interviewed on May 13, 2009, and again on January 7, 2010, during which he admitted to downloading all the indecent content of children that was recovered. However, he maintained that he had not engaged in misconduct while working with the scouts and other groups over the decade.