MARK INGLE FROM LUDLOW ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX IMAGE CONVICTION IN SHREWSBURY

In October 2017, a man from Ludlow, identified as Mark Ingle, faced the courts in Shrewsbury after being convicted of possessing indecent images of a child. The 58-year-old, who has worked as an IT consultant and later as a hotel porter, appeared before Judge Peter Barrie at Shrewsbury Crown Court to receive his sentence.

Ingle had previously admitted to the court that he had created and stored a total of 73 indecent images and videos of a child, categorized into three different levels of severity. Specifically, he acknowledged making 37 images or videos classified as Category A, which denotes the most serious form of child abuse material, along with 12 images in Category B and 24 in Category C. The possession of a Category A image alone carries a legal starting point of a one-year custodial sentence, with the possibility of up to three years in prison.

Prosecutor Douglas Lloyd detailed the circumstances of the case, revealing that authorities conducted a search of Ingle’s residence on May 31 of that year. During the search, three laptops were confiscated from his home on Rock Lane in Ludlow. These devices were found to contain the illegal images. Additionally, the computers were equipped with software designed for 'shredding' files, which the prosecution argued was intended to allow Ingle to destroy any sensitive or confidential documents related to his work as a computer expert, thereby attempting to cover his tracks.

Ingle’s defense attorney, Jason Pegg, highlighted his client’s previously good character and mental health struggles. Pegg explained that Ingle suffers from several mental health conditions, including personality disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. He further stated that the medication prescribed for these conditions had caused impotence, and that Ingle admitted to finding the images attractive in a perverse manner. Pegg emphasized that Ingle recognized the gravity of his actions and expressed remorse.

According to Pegg, Ingle had taken steps to address his issues by engaging with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a child protection charity. During police interviews, Ingle reportedly took full responsibility for his conduct. The defense argued that Ingle’s actions were driven by his mental health issues and that he was not attempting to conceal his activities intentionally, despite the presence of 'shredding' software on his computers. Pegg also noted that Ingle viewed the images recklessly and understood that what he did was wrong.

Judge Barrie, in delivering his sentence, opted for a community-based punishment rather than immediate imprisonment. Ingle was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes 40 days of rehabilitation work. Additionally, he was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, aimed at monitoring and restricting his future conduct. The judge acknowledged Ingle’s mental health background and the steps he had taken to seek help, stating that there was no evidence of reoffending. The court also ordered Ingle to pay costs of £200 and a victim surcharge as part of his sentence.