GAVIN KENDALL FROM SKELTON SENTENCED FOR EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD IMAGES IN YORK

In August 2017, Gavin Neil Kendall, a 46-year-old resident of Brecksfields, Skelton, faced serious criminal charges related to the possession and download of illegal and highly disturbing images. Kendall, a former sailor who served in the Gulf Wars, as well as in Yugoslavia and Cambodia, appeared before York Crown Court to answer charges stemming from his online activities.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of downloading indecent images, along with additional charges for possessing extreme pornography and prohibited photographs. The case was brought to light after police conducted a search of Kendall’s home in September of the previous year, following intelligence that linked his IP address to illegal online activity.

During the search, authorities discovered that Kendall had engaged in numerous searches on the dark web, which is known for its encrypted and often illicit content. The investigation revealed that he had downloaded a significant number of images, including photographs of children ranging from as young as two years old to teenagers. These images depicted children in sexually explicit poses or engaged in sexual acts, either with themselves or with adults. The material also included extreme pornographic images involving animals, which are considered highly illegal and morally reprehensible.

Further disturbing evidence was uncovered at his residence, including a live webcam and baby clothes, which raised additional concerns about his activities and intentions. The presence of such items contributed to the severity of the case and the court’s perception of the threat posed by Kendall’s actions.

During sentencing, Judge Paul Batty QC addressed the court and emphasized the gravity of the crimes. He stated, “I accept that below decks there may have been much viewing of pornography but in my view that is a long way short of what you were doing in this case. There are some serious aspects to it and I also refer to infants’ clothing found in your property and a live web cam. Some of the children depicted were as young as two years of age and these circumstances represent a real abuse of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Judge Batty also noted that Kendall’s refusal to provide passwords for the encrypted material hindered the investigation, preventing authorities from fully understanding the extent of his activities. As a result, the court could not guarantee what additional illegal content might have been stored on his devices.

In addition to a 12-month prison sentence suspended for a year, Kendall was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community work. He was also placed under a rehabilitation order and will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the need to protect society’s most vulnerable from such predatory behavior.