MAIDSTONE MAN GRAHAM PARDUE JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN KENT

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Maidstone, Graham Pardue, a 43-year-old man residing on Roseleigh Avenue, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing and downloading explicit child pornography. The arrest followed a police raid on his home, where authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of over 100 images depicting naked children engaged in sexual acts.

Prosecutor Neville Willard detailed to Maidstone Crown Court that a forensic examination of Pardue’s computer revealed a disturbing pattern of activity spanning the years 2001 and 2002. The investigation uncovered that Pardue had been actively surfing adult pornography sites during this period, with evidence indicating he had used his credit card to pay for access to a particular child pornography website called Lolita Love.

During the court proceedings, Mr. Willard stated that Pardue admitted to 17 charges of making indecent photographs. When questioned about how he came across such material, Pardue claimed he had encountered the images by chance. However, further investigation revealed that he had deliberately visited multiple child exploitation sites, downloading more than 1,000 indecent images of children. The police also seized printed copies of photographs that Pardue had printed from these internet sites, which added to the evidence against him.

Despite the disturbing nature of the evidence, Pardue maintained that he had not distributed any of the images. He explained that he was employed at a printing firm and that the printed photographs were solely for his personal use. When Judge Adele Williams asked him what he thought would happen if his mother discovered the photographs, Pardue bowed his head, indicating remorse or shame.

Defense lawyer John Fitzgerald highlighted that Pardue’s mother was terminally ill and unaware of his arrest, emphasizing the personal toll of the case. He also noted that Pardue had led a socially isolated life, having not been in a relationship for the past decade. The lawyer expressed that Pardue was deeply ashamed of his actions, which he initially believed to be more voyeuristic than exploitative. Mr. Fitzgerald assured the court that Pardue had destroyed all his computer equipment and had no intention of returning to the internet, viewing this as a significant lesson learned.

Judge Williams, addressing the court, condemned the activity, stating that “right-minded people were revolted by this activity.” She emphasized the severity of the crime and the impact it has on society. As part of his sentence, Pardue was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years following his release from prison, underscoring the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk posed by such behavior.