KEVIN COX FROM BRIDPORT AND BURTON BRADSTOCK JAILED FOR CHILD IMAGE OFFENSES

In a recent case heard at Dorchester Crown Court, Kevin Cox, a resident of Lower Townsend in Burton Bradstock, was sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the material involved and the serious message delivered by the presiding judge.

Judge Roger Jarvis emphasized the gravity of Cox’s actions, stating that a clear warning needed to be issued to those who engage in the illegal and morally reprehensible activity of downloading child abuse images. The judge underscored that such behavior is not only morally wrong but also carries severe consequences, warning that the risks involved are simply not worth the potential punishment.

According to court records, Cox, aged 38, was linked to the possession of 19 counts of indecent images of children. The investigation was initiated after police officers visited his residence in St Swithins Road, Bridport, on June 9. During the search, various electronic devices, including computers, were seized for analysis. Cox was forthcoming during his arrest, reportedly telling officers, “You’re right, you will find the stuff on the external hard drive.”

An examination of Cox’s devices revealed a staggering 996 video clips involving children, some as young as two years old. Cox was subsequently charged in relation to 100 of these videos. Throughout the legal process, Cox admitted to the charges and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating remorse and cooperation.

In mitigation, Patricia Sheehan explained that Cox had recently gone through a divorce and was suffering from depression at the time of the offenses. She expressed that Cox was unable to fully explain his actions, stating, “All he could do was to say he had reached such a nadir in his emotional life that somehow this became a possibility for him.” She also highlighted that Cox, who had no previous criminal record, had ceased downloading the images before his arrest and was actively seeking professional help to address his issues.

Judge Jarvis delivered a stern message to Cox and others who might consider similar actions. He described the case as involving the “wicked abuse of little children” and condemned Cox’s behavior as thoughtless and damaging to the future of the victims depicted in the images. The judge emphasized the importance of the court’s role in protecting vulnerable children and deterring such crimes.

He further explained that the demand for viewing these disturbing images must be reduced. To achieve this, the court aims to make the act of viewing such material an unattractive prospect, thereby discouraging potential offenders. The judge concluded by stating, “The way that the court can do this is to make the price of watching these images unattractive to future people liable to fall into the trap of watching them. The way to do that is to make it clear that if you choose to watch images like this you will go into custody, I hope in making that message clear people will think it’s not worth the gamble.”