MABON DANE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN COLCHESTER AND HAVERHILL: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND COMMUNITY ORDER BREACHES

In a series of disturbing legal proceedings, Mabon Dane, a former councillor from Haverhill, has been at the center of serious criminal allegations involving child pornography and breaches of court orders. The case, which has garnered significant public attention, highlights the ongoing concerns about individuals with past convictions reoffending or failing to comply with judicial mandates.

On a day in April 2008, Dane appeared before Ipswich Crown Court to face charges related to his failure to adhere to a community order imposed in 2006. The court was informed that Dane, aged 38 and residing in Gazelle Close, Colchester, had previously been convicted of possessing indecent images of children and making such images, charges that led to his placement on the Sex Offenders' Register. Despite this, he was accused of breaching the conditions of his community order, which was meant to monitor and rehabilitate him.

During the hearing, Judge David Goodin issued a stern warning to Dane, emphasizing the gravity of his non-compliance. The judge fined him £100 for the breach and cautioned that if Dane failed to follow the order again, he could face imprisonment. The judge also expressed disappointment over Dane’s continued denial of the charges, which hindered his ability to engage meaningfully in the rehabilitation process. Judge Goodin remarked, “Mr Dane is querulous, petulant and devious, and I have no doubt a difficult character to work with; nevertheless, the work must be done.”

He further explained that merely attending scheduled appointments was insufficient unless Dane actively participated in the programs designed to alter his behavior and reduce the risk of reoffending. The court acknowledged that Dane was treated courteously during visits, including one on January 7, but his persistent denial of guilt made it impossible for him to engage constructively. The judge stressed the importance of reducing the demand for illegal images, stating, “It is in everyone’s interests, yours and society’s, that the risk you run of creating a demand for these images is reduced.”

Prosecutor Russell Butcher provided additional context, revealing that Dane had previously been sentenced in July 2006 to a 36-month community punishment and was ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work. Despite these measures, Dane’s conduct continued to raise concerns. In December of the previous year, he refused entry to a probation officer and a police officer, and in January, he allowed them into his home but refused to answer questions, instead recording their interactions with a Dictaphone and later writing down questions without responding.

Further details from probation reports indicated that Dane, who has now converted to Islam, expressed discomfort with police visits, citing difficulties understanding an Irish-accented officer. His fifth probation officer, Dominic Bell, noted that Dane had previously refused to discuss his life before 1993 and sought to control the terms of his supervision. These behaviors, combined with his refusal to cooperate, led the court to conclude that Dane posed a continued risk of reoffending.

In a related case from June 2006, Dane was convicted of possessing child pornography on his computer. Although he was not sentenced to prison, he received a three-year supervision order and was mandated to perform 80 hours of community service. Judge Goodin expressed ongoing concerns about Dane’s potential threat to society, especially given the nature of his convictions involving Level 1 images. The judge also disqualified him from working with children in the future, citing the risk he continued to pose.

During the sentencing, Dane’s defense argued that his failure to cooperate was not indicative of malicious intent but stemmed from personality traits and personal struggles, including the trauma of losing his parents as a child. Despite his past political career, which included serving as an independent councillor representing Chalkstone Ward and founding the Haverhill Striders Athletic Club, his reputation was marred by these criminal allegations.

His political journey was marked by controversy, including disputes within the Haverhill Town Council, legal actions, and complaints to the Standards Board of England. Dane resigned from the council in July 2005 after being banned for three years for bringing his office into disrepute. His involvement in local politics and community activities was significant, but his criminal convictions have overshadowed his previous contributions.

Today, the case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable members of society from individuals with a history of offending.