LOWESTOFT MAN MERVYN LOCKYER JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Lowestoft, Mervyn Lockyer, a 60-year-old resident of June Avenue, has been sentenced to a prison term after being found guilty of possessing and distributing a large collection of indecent images of children. The case, which was brought before Ipswich Crown Court, revealed the disturbing extent of Lockyer’s activities, which spanned several years and involved multiple offences.

According to court records, Lockyer admitted to three counts of creating indecent images of children. These offences were committed in March of the same year, highlighting a pattern of illicit activity that persisted over time. In addition to these, he also pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing indecent images of children, with the offences dating from January 2012 through December of the previous year. Furthermore, Lockyer admitted to attempting to cause or incite a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, a charge that underscores the severity of his actions.

The police investigation that led to Lockyer’s arrest began in March when officers executed a search warrant at his residence. During the raid, law enforcement officials seized various computer devices, including a laptop that was found to contain a disturbing collection of illicit material. The digital evidence included 100 indecent images and seven movies classified as Category A, which is considered the most serious level of such content. Additionally, there were 60 images and ten movies in Category B, and 305 images along with four movies in Category C, indicating a significant volume of illegal material stored on his devices.

Despite having no prior criminal record, Lockyer was deemed a serious threat due to the nature of his offences. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was placed under a sexual harm prevention order, restricting his activities and monitoring his conduct to prevent further harm.

Earlier in November, Lockyer appeared before Ipswich Crown Court, where he admitted to similar charges. The court was informed that he had downloaded child sexual abuse images, and he was warned that a custodial sentence was highly likely when he was sentenced in the following month. Judge David Goodin, presiding over the case, agreed to postpone the sentencing to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service. The judge emphasized the gravity of Lockyer’s offences, stating, “The offences which you have admitted are very serious offences which will in my judgement inevitably be met with a custodial sentence.”

While the judge acknowledged the possibility of a suspended sentence if Lockyer agreed to participate in a sex offenders’ treatment programme in the community, the overall outlook was bleak for the defendant. Lockyer, who has no previous convictions, was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register on an interim basis, reflecting the court’s concern over his potential risk to the community. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from harm.