Gravesend
Child Sexual Abuser
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RR86122
SEX OFFENDER WITH INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER COURT DELAYS
A sex offender who was found to have some of the most serious indecent images of children on his laptops has avoided a prison sentence.James Whitehurst’s barrister argued he shouldn’t be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) because his partner had been monitoring his devices for any indecent images or videos.The 50-year-old appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on September 26 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to six counts of making indecent images of a child.
These included one Category A video, three Category B videos, one Category A image, four Category B images, two Category C images, and 209 more Category C images.
In July 2021, police attended his home on Old West Road, Gravesend, executing a warrant.
He initially denied wrongdoing but admitted owning a hard drive with images after police investigation.
Devices seized included an Apple MacBook, an HP laptop, and a Novatech laptop, with searches linked to his offending, such as "UK school girl" and "Pre-teen nymphets." Some children in the images and videos appeared to be as young as three to 12 years old.
The CPS proposed a SHPO requiring device registration, but his lawyer argued he had shown no signs of reoffending and had installed monitoring software checked by his partner.
The court noted a two-year delay between arrest and court appearance, and another two-year delay to sentencing.
Judge Gareth Branston sentenced him to a community order of 12 months, requiring 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 RAR days, and payment of costs and victim surcharge.
The judge cited personal difficulties such as drug, alcohol, and porn addiction as factors.
A 10-year SHPO was deemed necessary to prevent reoffending.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
d a two-year delay between arrest and court appearance, and another two-year delay to sentencing. Judge Gareth Branston sentenced him to a community order of 12 months, requiring 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 RAR days, and payment of cost...
Court order
A sex offender who was found to have some of the most serious indecent images of children on his laptops has avoided a prison sentence.James Whitehurst's barrister argued he shouldn't be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) because his partner had been monitoring his devices for any indecent images or videos.The 50-year-old appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on September 26 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to six counts of making indecent images of a child
Court order
The CPS proposed a SHPO requiring device registration, but his lawyer argued he had shown no signs of reoffending and had installed monitoring software checked by his partner
Community order
150 hours
Judge Gareth Branston sentenced him to a community order of 12 months, requiring 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 RAR days, and payment of costs and victim surcharge
Fine or payment
12 months
Judge Gareth Branston sentenced him to a community order of 12 months, requiring 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 RAR days, and payment of costs and victim surcharge
Court order
A 10-year SHPO was deemed necessary to prevent reoffending
