HARRY JENKINS FROM ULEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Uley, Harry Jenkins, a 24-year-old resident of Shadwell Lane, was brought before the court in Gloucestershire to face serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The proceedings revealed that Jenkins had collected a significant number of such images on his smartphone, which he subsequently sold, attempting to dispose of the evidence. However, the police investigation uncovered that some of these illicit images had been automatically downloaded and stored on his home computer, leading to his eventual arrest and prosecution.

According to court records, Jenkins admitted to possessing a total of 50 indecent images, categorized into different levels of severity. Specifically, he was found to have 11 images classified as Category A, which depict the most serious offenses involving young girls aged between two and 14 years. Additionally, he possessed 34 images in Category B and five images in Category C. The court was informed that these images were uploaded from Jenkins’ address on November 27, 2018, following a tip-off from a specialized web sharing site that monitors such illegal content.

Prosecutor Grace Flynn explained that Jenkins had initially downloaded these images onto his smartphone. The day before his arrest, he sold the device, likely in an attempt to evade detection. However, the investigation revealed a technological quirk: Jenkins’ phone was configured in such a way that images downloaded onto it were automatically backed up to the cloud and synchronized with his Apple Mac computer at his home in Uley. This synchronization inadvertently led to the images being stored on his computer, despite his efforts to delete or hide them.

Defense lawyer Matthew Harbinson acknowledged Jenkins’ remorse and explained that his client was unaware of the full extent of the backup process. Harbinson stated, “Unbeknownst to Jenkins, his phone was set up in such a way that downloaded images were backed up in the cloud, which also synchronized with his Apple Mac computer at home. Jenkins was found with very few images on his computer. It is a quirk of technology that these images found their way onto his computer.” He further added that Jenkins had taken steps to seek help voluntarily, attending a rehabilitation center, which he found beneficial.

Judge Recorder James Waddington QC addressed Jenkins directly, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. “When you sold your phone, you did not realize that these indecent images of young girls, mainly aged between two and six, had been backed up on your home computer,” he said. The judge acknowledged that Jenkins’ actions crossed the threshold for custodial sentence but noted that the total number of images was relatively low, and Jenkins had already faced consequences by admitting his guilt and seeking help. Consequently, he decided to impose a three-year community order instead of immediate imprisonment.

The court also mandated Jenkins to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 35 program days aimed at rehabilitation, and participate in 40 days of supervised activity designed to prevent future offending. Additionally, Jenkins was placed under a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his internet usage for the next five years, aiming to prevent any further access to illegal content and protect the community from potential harm.