GARY CLARKSON FROM MILTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND BESTIALITY IMAGES IN DERBYSHIRE

In September 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Gary Clarkson, a retired council worker from Milton, Derbyshire, who was found to possess a large collection of illegal and highly disturbing images on his personal computer. The authorities uncovered more than 1,000 child abuse images during their investigation, revealing the extent of Clarkson's involvement in viewing and downloading such material.

Police officers executed a search warrant at Clarkson’s residence on Main Street, Milton, near Repton, in January of that year. During the search, they seized multiple electronic devices, including a USB hard drive. Upon analysis, the devices contained a staggering number of illegal images and videos, categorized into different levels of severity. Specifically, 213 images and movies were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious content involving young children engaged in sexual acts. Additionally, there were 183 images in Category B and 669 in Category C, which are considered less severe but still illegal.

Among the disturbing findings was an extreme pornographic image depicting a woman engaged in sexual activity with a horse. This particular image was flagged as extreme content, highlighting the disturbing nature of Clarkson’s online activity. The police investigation revealed that Clarkson had been downloading indecent images of children since 2003, and he admitted during police interviews that he derived sexual gratification from viewing these materials. In his second interview, Clarkson fully accepted responsibility for his actions, acknowledging his long-standing involvement in this illegal activity.

Following his arrest, Clarkson was taken to Derby Crown Court, where he faced serious charges. The court was informed that Clarkson, a married man, had a history of indulging in these illicit activities over many years. When questioned by the police, he admitted that he was sexually aroused by the images and videos he had collected. His internet activity was linked to his home address in Milton, where the illegal content was stored and accessed.

Judge Jonathan Bennett presided over the case and delivered a sentence that reflected the gravity of Clarkson’s offenses. Clarkson, aged 56, was handed an 11-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. The judge emphasized the profound impact of the police search on Clarkson’s life, stating, “What happened when the police came to your address with a search warrant on January 19 changed your life forever. It brought to light a secret world in which you had indulged your fantasies over a considerable period of time. These are not just pictures; they show real children being abused, and you became obsessed with this as time went on.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, Clarkson was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his activities and access to certain online content. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and must complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities with the probation service. Furthermore, Clarkson is under a four-month curfew, which confines him to his home between 7 pm and 6 am each night. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs amounting to £235.

Overall, the case highlights the serious nature of possession and distribution of child abuse images, as well as the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat such crimes and protect vulnerable victims from exploitation.