KEVIN BAXTER FROM TATTERSHALL ESCAPES JAIL DUE TO POLICE INVESTIGATION DELAY IN LINCOLN

In October 2012, a man from Tattershall, Lincolnshire, Kevin Baxter, was spared imprisonment after being found with nearly 10,000 images of child abuse. Baxter, 49, was discovered with over 9,000 indecent photographs of children following a police search of his residence in Keble Court, Clinton Park, Tattershall, in June 2009. Lincoln Crown Court was told that it took two years for the police to analyze the data on Baxter's computer hard drives because of the priority system they were operating at the time. When the materials were finally examined, it was revealed that the images included some at the most serious levels of child pornography. Judge Michael Heath, recognizing the extreme delay, chose to pass a suspended sentence, describing the delay as 'inexcusable' and acknowledging Baxter's efforts at rehabilitation. Judge Heath emphasized the damaging nature of internet child pornography, stating, 'There were found on your various computers 9,193 images. Among those 679 were at level four and 51 at level five, those being the most serious levels. I saw a sample of the disgusting material you had downloaded.' He added, however, that Baxter had done his best to turn his life around. Prosecutor Andrew Scott explained that police had seized five computer hard drives, printed images, and two discs during the search on June 18, 2009. The images depicted children aged between three and sixteen, mostly female. Baxter admitted during police questioning that he possessed approximately 500 images, including some of naked girls, and that he had ceased his activity a few years earlier. He was shocked upon learning the total number of images he had downloaded. The court was told Baxter had not committed any further offenses since the police visit and had begun a new life away from Lincolnshire. In mitigation, it was explained that Baxter had self-imposed a ban on internet usage to prevent future temptation. Baxter, who now resides on Cedar Close, Patchway, Bristol, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing a total of 9,193 indecent images on June 18, 2009, and also admitted ten counts of making indecent images of a child between May 2004 and January 2009. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and placed under supervision for the same period. Additionally, Baxter must complete a sex offenders' course and register as a sex offender for five years.