SALTASH NAVY SAILOR LEE HOAD CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
| Red Rose Database
Saltash Rapist
In December 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Lee Hoad, a sailor from Saltash, who was found to possess and download highly disturbing images depicting child abuse. Hoad, aged 34, was brought before Truro Crown Court to face sentencing after admitting to multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children.
The case came to light when police executed a search warrant at Hoad’s residence in Saltash in February of the previous year. During the search, officers seized several electronic devices believed to contain illicit material. Hoad, who was dressed in a Navy T-shirt during the court proceedings, initially asked if he could send a work email. When an officer permitted this, Hoad appeared to glance at his screen and was observed with a Category A image, which was presumed to be an attempt to delete the offending material.
Following this, Hoad was arrested, and his devices were confiscated for further examination. The forensic analysis revealed a disturbing collection of images and videos. Specifically, there were 30 Category A images and 11 videos, seven Category B images and one video, and 78 Category C images along with three videos. All of these files were timestamped between December 2016 and January 2018. The victims depicted ranged from toddlers to early teenagers, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material.
During his initial police interview, Hoad claimed that he found adult relationships challenging and was questioning his sexuality. He denied having a specific sexual interest in children, asserting that he had received the images from individuals he met in an internet chatroom. However, during a subsequent interview, Hoad provided a different account, stating that between 2014 and 2017, he was subjected to bullying and assault during his service in the Royal Navy. He claimed to have filed a complaint about these incidents but believed it was ignored. Hoad suggested that his actions might have been motivated by a desire to attract attention or prompt the Navy to take his concerns seriously.
Throughout the proceedings, the court was informed that Hoad had served in the Royal Navy for 12 years but was now likely to be discharged due to his offending. It was also noted that he had taken steps in recent months to address his problematic behavior.
Judge Robert Linford, presiding over the case, delivered a stern judgment. He described the images as horrifying, emphasizing that they included children as young as six being raped, children exposing themselves, and minors being forced into oral sex. The judge expressed disbelief that anyone could derive sexual excitement from such material and questioned how downloading child abuse images could possibly aid someone in seeking help within the Navy. Despite the gravity of the crimes, Judge Linford acknowledged that there was a realistic chance for rehabilitation.
Hoad was sentenced to a two-year community order. As part of his rehabilitation, he is required to complete the Horizons programme, which is designed to address deviant sexual interests, along with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offending.
The case came to light when police executed a search warrant at Hoad’s residence in Saltash in February of the previous year. During the search, officers seized several electronic devices believed to contain illicit material. Hoad, who was dressed in a Navy T-shirt during the court proceedings, initially asked if he could send a work email. When an officer permitted this, Hoad appeared to glance at his screen and was observed with a Category A image, which was presumed to be an attempt to delete the offending material.
Following this, Hoad was arrested, and his devices were confiscated for further examination. The forensic analysis revealed a disturbing collection of images and videos. Specifically, there were 30 Category A images and 11 videos, seven Category B images and one video, and 78 Category C images along with three videos. All of these files were timestamped between December 2016 and January 2018. The victims depicted ranged from toddlers to early teenagers, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material.
During his initial police interview, Hoad claimed that he found adult relationships challenging and was questioning his sexuality. He denied having a specific sexual interest in children, asserting that he had received the images from individuals he met in an internet chatroom. However, during a subsequent interview, Hoad provided a different account, stating that between 2014 and 2017, he was subjected to bullying and assault during his service in the Royal Navy. He claimed to have filed a complaint about these incidents but believed it was ignored. Hoad suggested that his actions might have been motivated by a desire to attract attention or prompt the Navy to take his concerns seriously.
Throughout the proceedings, the court was informed that Hoad had served in the Royal Navy for 12 years but was now likely to be discharged due to his offending. It was also noted that he had taken steps in recent months to address his problematic behavior.
Judge Robert Linford, presiding over the case, delivered a stern judgment. He described the images as horrifying, emphasizing that they included children as young as six being raped, children exposing themselves, and minors being forced into oral sex. The judge expressed disbelief that anyone could derive sexual excitement from such material and questioned how downloading child abuse images could possibly aid someone in seeking help within the Navy. Despite the gravity of the crimes, Judge Linford acknowledged that there was a realistic chance for rehabilitation.
Hoad was sentenced to a two-year community order. As part of his rehabilitation, he is required to complete the Horizons programme, which is designed to address deviant sexual interests, along with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offending.