NATHAN WILKINSON FROM BURY ST EDMUNDS ESCAPES PRISON AFTER DOWNLOAD OF CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Bury St Edmunds, Nathan Wilkinson, a 36-year-old resident of Acacia Avenue, was found to have downloaded indecent images of children onto his personal computer. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Wilkinson was able to avoid a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of creating indecent images of minors.

During proceedings at Ipswich Crown Court on a Thursday, Judge David Goodin reviewed the circumstances of Wilkinson’s case. The court was informed that the probation service had conducted an assessment and identified a genuine potential for Wilkinson’s rehabilitation. Based on this evaluation, and considering that he was deemed to pose a low risk of re-offending, the judge decided that a community-based sentence would be appropriate rather than imprisonment.

The court heard that police officers had visited Wilkinson’s residence on April 27, during which they discovered a relatively small collection of images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexual activities stored on his laptop. This discovery was a key factor in the case, but the number of images was described as 'relatively low' by the authorities.

Representing Wilkinson, solicitor Steven Dyble explained that loneliness appeared to be a significant factor contributing to his client’s offending behavior. It was also noted that Wilkinson had no prior criminal record, which may have influenced the court’s decision.

Judge Goodin sentenced Wilkinson to a three-year community order. As part of this order, Wilkinson is required to participate in a 60-day rehabilitation activity program aimed at addressing underlying issues. Additionally, he was ordered to register on the sexual offences register for a period of five years and to pay £500 towards the costs incurred by the prosecution.

Furthermore, Wilkinson will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which will remain in effect for the next five years. This order is designed to restrict and monitor his activities to prevent any future offences of a similar nature. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities in Bury St Edmunds to address and manage crimes involving the exploitation of minors, balancing punishment with opportunities for rehabilitation.