DOMINIC WATERS FROM LLANRWST SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN CAERNARFON

In April 2016, a man from Llanrwst, who was battling leukemia, was sentenced to nine months in prison after being found guilty of downloading and creating indecent images of children. The court heard that Dominic Waters, aged 28, had made multiple discs containing some of these illicit videos, which depicted minors in disturbing and explicit scenarios.

During the proceedings at Caernarfon Crown Court, Dafydd Roberts, representing Waters, emphasized that Waters came from a religious background and was an active churchgoer. Roberts stated that Waters sought to 'cleanse the sins he has committed and put right his wrongs,' suggesting a desire for redemption. It was also noted that Waters had no prior criminal record, and that he had reportedly undergone a change in mindset since the offenses.

Prosecutor Michael Whitty outlined that Waters had committed six separate offenses related to indecent images of children, with the activities taking place between May and June of the previous year. The images involved minors aged between four and fifteen years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the crimes.

Judge Peter Griffiths QC, who presided over the case, detailed the extent of the material involved. He pointed out that there were a total of 286 video files, including 95 classified as the most severe category of indecency. Additionally, discs had been produced from at least 55 of these videos, indicating a significant level of distribution and possession.

In delivering the sentence, the judge made it clear that Waters was to be imprisoned immediately, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses. Furthermore, Waters was placed on the sex offenders’ register and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, both of which are set to last for ten years, reflecting the court’s concern for public safety and the potential risk posed by the offender.