MATTHEW LEGG'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN SWANAGE AND EXETER: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND FLEEING JUSTICE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Swanage and the wider region, Matthew Legg, a 52-year-old man residing on Valley Road in Swanage, has been convicted and sentenced for possessing a vast collection of indecent images depicting children in distress. The offences, which spanned from January 2016 to January 2018, involved the download of nearly 1,000 images, some of which showed children as young as six months old and up to 13 years old. The court was informed that these images included some that portrayed children in states of pain and suffering, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material Legg had accumulated.

During the hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Robert Pawson detailed the gravity of the case. It was revealed that 86 of the images fell into the most serious category, Category A, indicating extreme content. An additional 110 images were classified as Category B, and a staggering 764 fell into Category C, the least severe but still illegal. Legg, who previously had a conviction for indecent assault of two young children in 2000, admitted to the charges against him. At the time of his arrest on January 22 of the previous year, he was living in a caravan, which was a significant detail given his history and the nature of his crimes.

Legg’s defense attorney, Tim Shorter, argued that his client, who now works as a gardener for elderly individuals, recognizes the need for psychological help. He pleaded with the court to consider treatment options rather than immediate imprisonment, emphasizing that Legg has struggled with social isolation and has been forced to move multiple times due to the shame and stigma associated with his past convictions. Despite these pleas, Judge Pawson was unequivocal in his stance. He stated, “If people like you were not downloading images of babies being sexually abused then people would not sexually abuse them. You knew precisely the risk you were taking.”

The court also received a probation report indicating that Legg poses a “high risk of reconviction,” underscoring the seriousness of his case. Consequently, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the Category A offences, with an additional nine months for Category B and two months for Category C, all to run concurrently. Furthermore, Legg was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his access to potential victims and monitor his activities moving forward.

Adding to the gravity of his criminal history, it was also recalled that in September 2008, police launched a manhunt for Legg after he failed to appear at Exeter Crown Court for sentencing. Legg, then 42, had been given bail despite admitting to previously failing to keep police updated with his current address on the Sex Offenders’ Register. His absence prompted Judge Stephen Wildblood QC to issue a warrant for his immediate arrest, instructing police to locate him as swiftly as possible. The court was told that Legg had no fixed address at the time and was believed to be living a transient lifestyle, including sleeping rough in Exeter and residing at a campsite in Axmouth, East Devon.

Investigations revealed that police from Devon & Cornwall, alerted by information from Thames Valley police, suspected Legg was hiding in the area. Checks with the Department of Work and Pensions confirmed his residence at Axmouth. When arrested, Legg admitted he had left his previous address on June 13 and was aware he should have notified authorities, yet he failed to do so. His history of non-compliance with police orders was well-documented, including a prior conviction in 2002 for failing to notify police of a change of address.

During the court proceedings in Exeter, Legg’s defense, led by Lynda Hodgson, claimed that he had been complying with bail conditions and reporting daily to the police station in Heavitree Road since his arrest on July 11. Magistrates, however, expressed their concern but ultimately decided to grant him bail, citing his adherence to conditions and lack of further offences. Nevertheless, the court issued a warrant for his arrest, emphasizing the importance of locating him to face justice for his failure to appear and for his ongoing criminal activities. The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to track and apprehend such offenders.