LENNARD SPOONER FROM BLANDFORD SENTENCED IN DORCHESTER FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES AND INTERNET DEVICE BREACHES

In a serious case that highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation and the enforcement of preventative measures, Lennard Spooner, a 30-year-old resident of Blandford, was brought before Dorchester Crown Court to face charges related to breaches of a sexual offences prevention order and possession of indecent images of children.

The proceedings revealed that Spooner had previously served a prison sentence for possessing nearly 1,000 indecent images of minors. In January of the previous year, he was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison after admitting to this serious offence. As part of his punishment, he was placed on the sex offenders register for a decade and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that prohibited him from possessing any device capable of internet access without prior police notification.

The case took a further turn when police officers visited Spooner on November 12 of the previous year. During this visit, they discovered him in possession of three mobile phones. He was subsequently arrested, interviewed, and released on bail. Despite the bail conditions, police found him in possession of an additional mobile phone on January 30. Prosecutor Carolyn Branford-Wood stated that although these devices did not contain further incriminating evidence, their possession was a breach of the court order.

During the hearing, Spooner’s legal representative, Tim Shorter, explained that his client suffers from learning difficulties and was unaware that taking the phones to the police for inspection was necessary or legally required. Shorter described Spooner’s actions as “foolish,” emphasizing that his client did not intend to violate the court’s restrictions intentionally.

Judge Roger Jarvis addressed the court, underscoring the seriousness of breaching a sexual offences prevention order. He stated, “When a sexual offences prevention order is breached, serious punishment should follow. Compliance is not optional and people shouldn’t think that they will have a number of chances before the law will crack down.”

Earlier, in January 2012, Spooner had already been sentenced to 40 weeks after admitting to possessing a large number of indecent images. The initial discovery was made after Dorset Police, in cooperation with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Service, raised concerns about properties in Blandford, specifically on Birch Avenue. It was revealed that Spooner’s neighbour was initially arrested in May 2010 but was released without charge after it was found that Spooner had been using his Wi-Fi network.

Spooner initially admitted to possessing approximately 850 indecent images, including nine of the most serious grade five images. During bail, police found additional computers at his residence, uncovering a further 123 images ranging from level one to level four severity. His legal counsel, Nigel Mitchell, highlighted Spooner’s social difficulties and learning disabilities, arguing that a prison sentence would be particularly harsh for him and that he would struggle to cope with incarceration.

However, Judge Jarvis emphasized that despite these difficulties, the gravity of Spooner’s offences warranted a custodial sentence. He remarked, “This is about very young children being abused, photographs taken, and people like you exploiting their abuse by viewing those images. If it weren’t for people like you, there would be far fewer of these children being abused.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Spooner was ordered to adhere to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years, reinforcing the ongoing legal measures aimed at preventing further offences and protecting vulnerable children.