PAUL RENNARD FROM OSWESTRY SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING OVER 8,000 CHILD IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the local community of Oswestry, Paul Rennard, a 52-year-old resident of Olwen Terrace, was sentenced to a community order after being found in possession of an alarming number of indecent images of children. The court proceedings, held at Shrewsbury Crown Court, revealed that Rennard had accumulated more than 8,000 such images on his computer equipment, prompting serious legal action and a comprehensive sentencing package.

On the day of sentencing, Rennard was handed a three-year community order that includes strict supervision requirements and mandates his participation in the Community Sex Offenders Groupwork Programme. Additionally, he was subjected to a five-year sexual offences prevention order, which explicitly prohibits him from working with children for the rest of his life. The court also ordered Rennard to pay costs amounting to £1,200.

The case was initiated after police executed a search warrant at Rennard’s residence on January 13 of the previous year. During the search, officers discovered the extensive collection of indecent images stored on his laptop and two external hard disk drives. Prosecutor Mr. Robert Edwards explained that Rennard initially denied any knowledge of the images, claiming that someone else had placed them on his computer to frame him. Despite this denial, Rennard later admitted to being an ‘expert’ with computers, which added context to the case.

Rennard had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including four counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of possessing such images. His defense attorney, Mr. Paul Smith, argued that most of the images found were at the lowest levels of seriousness, suggesting a lesser degree of harm. He emphasized that Rennard recognized the gravity of his actions and described him as a viewer rather than a creator of the images, warning that any escalation could lead to severe prison sentences.

Judge Robin Onions addressed Rennard directly during the sentencing, stating, “You have played your part in the cycle of abuse of children. I have to have the interests of society in mind.” The judge acknowledged Rennard’s age and previous good character but noted that the incident had tarnished his reputation. He pointed out that many of the images had been deleted and were no longer active on the computer, but emphasized the seriousness of the offense. The judge also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the laptop and hard drives to prevent further misuse.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the gravity of possessing such a vast collection of child exploitation material and underscores the importance of safeguarding children from such heinous crimes. Rennard’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims.