NORMAN VALENTINE FROM LEGBOURNE SLAPPED WITH SUSPENDED SENTENCE OVER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND FACEBOOK FRAUD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the small community of Legbourne, 73-year-old Norman Valentine has been handed a suspended jail sentence after admitting to serious breaches of court orders and possession of indecent images of children. The incident came to light during a routine visit by his risk manager in November 2019, revealing troubling details about his online activities.

Valentine, who had previously been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register in 2016 following a conviction for making indecent images of children, was found to have violated the conditions of his registration. These conditions explicitly prohibited him from using any aliases without informing the police. Despite this, Valentine had created a Facebook account under a false name, Kamiti Kamau, which he failed to report to authorities. The risk manager, during the visit, examined a tablet device in Valentine’s possession and discovered that he had been using Facebook for approximately two years under this alias.

Lucia Harrington, prosecuting at Lincoln Crown Court, explained that the internet history on the device confirmed the use of Facebook, and Valentine claimed he was unaware that he was required to notify the police about his pseudonym. The court was told that this omission was a deliberate breach of his registration obligations. Further investigation by police revealed that the tablet contained five indecent images of children, which led to his subsequent arrest and interview.

During police questioning, Valentine admitted that he had set up the Facebook account to maintain contact with his daughter. However, the court was informed that his previous conviction and ongoing registration requirements were meant to prevent such online activity. His failure to comply with these restrictions was considered a serious breach.

In sentencing, the court imposed an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years, along with up to 40 days of rehabilitation activity. Valentine was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years and was issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the tablet used to access the indecent images, emphasizing the seriousness of the offences and the need to prevent further harm.