MARK PARTRIDGE OF STROUD AVOIDS JAIL TIME FOR DISTRIBUTING INDECENT IMAGES

In August 2008, Mark Partridge, a 55-year-old man from Stroud, avoided imprisonment after downloading hundreds of indecent images of young girls. The court heard that Partridge was caught attempting to purchase a DVD containing child exploitation images produced in Ukraine. Judge Mark Horton stated, “I consider I would be doing society a grave disservice if I sent you to prison today.”

Partridge appeared at Gloucester Crown Court to face 11 charges related to the possession of indecent images. Prosecutor Joanna Lewis explained that police were alerted to Partridge’s activities after the anti-exploitation group raised concerns when he attempted to buy the DVD on May 18 of the previous year. Following his arrest on September 24, 2007, authorities seized his computer and digital camera.

Investigators discovered over 350 indecent images on his devices, and Partridge admitted during questioning to an interest in girls aged between six and 13, stating he had been viewing similar images for approximately two and a half years. He explained that due to frequent computer crashes, many photos were stored on his digital camera. He also revealed that he created images by combining photos of himself with internet-sourced images, claiming he believed these images were artistic and that no children were harmed because he was not paying for the images.

Additionally, Partridge disclosed he had attempted self-harm in the month prior to sentencing but had kept this fact from his probation officer, who prepared the pre-sentence report. His legal representative, Tim Evans, clarified that Partridge had inquired about the compatibility of the Ukrainian DVD with his computer but had not proceeded with any purchase. Evans emphasized that Partridge was interested in participating in a rehabilitation program, though he acknowledged that a custodial sentence of around three years might be necessary.

Probation officer Patrick Tracey concurred, praising Partridge’s insight into his issues—a level of reflection he found uncommon among similar offenders. Addressing the court, Judge Mark Horton condemned the crimes as abhorrent but noted, “There is no suggestion you attempted to bring your deviant fantasies to fruition.” While he considered a shorter jail term, the judge prioritized societal and child protection. He ultimately sentenced Partridge to three years of supervised probation and mandated attendance at a sex offenders’ program.

The judge also issued a lifelong sex offenders’ prevention order and ordered Partridge to register as a sex offender for five years. “You have a difficult road ahead,” the judge told him. Partridge responded, “I am grateful to you for giving me a chance to redeem myself,” as he accepted the court’s decision.