KEVIN FOX FROM WESTBURY SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES IN SWINDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Westbury, Kevin Fox, a 49-year-old resident of Warminster Road, was sentenced to ten months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a collection of indecent images and videos depicting child abuse. The case came to light in October 2012 when Fox's partner, upon logging into his computer, discovered a disturbing array of illicit material stored on his device.

According to Colin Meeke, the prosecutor at Swindon Crown Court, Fox's partner accessed his computer under his user profile and was appalled to find a folder containing numerous indecent images of children. Recognizing the severity of the discovery, she immediately contacted the police. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, arriving at the scene and seizing the computers involved in the investigation.

Fox initially claimed that the computers had been previously examined by Avon and Somerset Police and that no inappropriate material had been found during those inspections. However, further inquiries conducted by officers from Wiltshire Police revealed discrepancies. The serial numbers of the seized computers did not match those previously recorded, raising suspicions. Additionally, the search histories on the devices contained numerous references to searches for similar illicit content, indicating a deliberate effort to seek out such material.

Further examination uncovered not only images and a video but also disturbing montages involving a young child estimated to be between four and five years old. Fox, who was initially charged with possession of indecent images of children, pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty before the trial commenced.

During the hearing, Tristan Harwood, representing Fox, explained that his client had long denied the allegations out of shame and a desire to distance himself from his actions. He also highlighted the potential consequences Fox faced if imprisoned, including the loss of his employment and possibly his home.

In her sentencing remarks, Recorder Maria Lamb emphasized the aggravating factors of the case, notably the age and vulnerability of the children depicted. She pointed out that Fox had systematically searched for images of young girls over a period of a year, which intensified the severity of his offending. The judge also noted Fox's apparent difficulty in accepting responsibility for his actions.

As part of his sentence, Fox is required to register as a sex offender, a standard procedure for individuals convicted of such offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse material, and the importance of vigilance within communities to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.