GARY EVANS FROM MERROW CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORN AND BESTIALITY IMAGES

In April 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Gary Evans, a 53-year-old resident of Merrow, who became the subject of a police investigation following the breakdown of his relationship. The investigation was initiated after Evans' partner ended their relationship, prompting authorities to conduct a thorough examination of his computer equipment. The results of this analysis revealed a horrifying collection of illegal and indecent material.

Detectives discovered that Evans possessed a total of 118 images depicting sexual acts involving animals. These images were stored on floppy discs, which were retrieved and examined during the investigation. The presence of such material indicated a disturbing interest in bestiality, a serious criminal offense.

Further scrutiny uncovered a significant number of indecent images of children. The police found 29 images classified as Category A, which is considered the most severe and explicit form of child pornography. Additionally, there were six images categorized as Category B and 59 images in Category C, indicating a range of illegal content involving minors. These findings underscored the gravity of Evans' offenses and the disturbing nature of his digital collection.

Gary Evans was brought before the court to face charges related to his possession of extreme pornography and indecent images of minors. He was found guilty at trial and subsequently appeared for sentencing. The court proceedings revealed that the images were stored on floppy discs, which police had recovered in 2014. The judge, Peter Moss, noted that the images dated back to 2008, suggesting a long-standing pattern of illegal activity.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Moss acknowledged that the breakdown of Evans' relationship was a contributing factor to the discovery of these images. A non-molestation order had already been granted to protect others from potential harm. The judge emphasized that Evans was deemed suitable for a sex offenders’ treatment program, aiming to address his behavior and prevent future offenses.

To ensure public safety, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on Evans. This order prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16. It also mandates that he install monitoring software on his computer system to prevent access to illegal material in the future. The order is set to remain in effect until further notice, with the judge warning that any breach could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.

Additionally, Evans was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of five years. As part of the court's decision, he was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £2,500. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the possession and distribution of illegal images, especially those involving minors and animals, and underscores the importance of monitoring and legal consequences for offenders.