DONALD GODFREY OF LOWER SLAUGHTER SPARED JAIL FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY

In May 2021, Donald Godfrey, a 39-year-old resident of Lower Slaughter, received a suspended prison sentence after admitting to possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography involving animals.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Godfrey pleaded guilty to having 70 images and videos of children and 19 extreme pornography images. Prosecutor Ehsanul Oarith stated that on March 18 of the previous year, police were informed that someone at Godfrey’s address was uploading illegal images via Kik. Authorities then seized two devices: an iPhone and an iPad, both linked to a Dropbox account from which the illicit content was recovered.

Mr. Oarith explained that the images and videos depicted children aged between 6 and 16, including both still images and a total of 39 minutes of video footage. The court was told that these illegal materials had been collected over a period of about three months.

In his defense, Godfrey’s lawyer highlighted that he was a person of generally good character outside of a prior drink-driving conviction. The attorney emphasized that Godfrey’s involvement in this activity was relatively brief and that his arrest prompted him to seek help from various sources.

Judge Recorder James Waddington QC acknowledged Godfrey’s upfront approach, stating: “I give you full credit for owning up at the second police interview and pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. I can also afford you a little bit more credit, although not a great deal, for your good character apart from your excess alcohol conviction.”

Ultimately, Godfrey was sentenced to seven months in jail, though the sentence was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend up to thirty rehabilitation activity days, and pay costs of £425. Additionally, a five-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed to restrict his future activities.