KEVIN GUNNING OF COVINGHAM SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS AND TWO MONTHS IN JAIL FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES IN SWINDON

In August 2009, Kevin Gunning, aged 44 and residing at Heronscroft, Covingham, was sentenced to two years and two months in prison after being found in possession and distribution of child sex abuse images.

Gunning appeared before Swindon Crown Court on Thursday, where prosecuting lawyer Claire Marlow revealed that police uncovered his illegal activities following a computer operation in Hampshire. In late September of the previous year, authorities executed a warrant at Gunning’s home and confiscated his computers.

An examination of his devices revealed a staggering 6,227 indecent images of children, approximately one-third of which fell into the more serious categories of abuse material. It was also established that Gunning had been sharing these images with other users.

Further investigation uncovered disks used for storing the images, labeled in ways meant to discourage Gunning’s wife from examining their contents. During police interviews, Gunning admitted that his sexual gratification was derived more from describing underwear worn by young girls than from the children themselves.

Defending Gunning, solicitor Richard Shepherd stated that his client had deleted some of the images before his arrest, acknowledging the wrongful nature of his actions. Shepherd also mentioned Gunning’s specific interest in women’s underwear, which had reportedly led to his exposure to child abuse images.

Gunning pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of distribution, and one count of possession. Judge Douglas Field subsequently prohibited Gunning from working with children and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years.