PAUL SAMUEL FROM LITTLEHAMPTON SHOCKS COURT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN HONITON

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Paul Samuel, a resident of Littlehampton, was brought before Exeter Crown Court to face serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images involving children. The investigation into Samuel’s activities was initiated after authorities traced his online footprint to a monitored website, which led to the discovery of highly disturbing content stored on his home computer.

Prosecutors revealed that Samuel, aged 56 and living near Honiton in Monkton, was found to possess over 400 images depicting naked children, some of whom were as young as five or six years old. Among these, 51 photographs showed children suffering severe abuse inflicted by adults. The images ranged from explicit photographs to more extreme and depraved content, illustrating the severity of the offenses committed.

According to the police, Samuel initially claimed that his interest in such material was linked to a medical condition, attempting to justify his viewing of the images. However, this explanation was dismissed by the court, with Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, describing Samuel’s actions as demonstrating “extreme depravity.” The judge emphasized that the nature of the images was so serious that he would not detail them publicly but made it clear that they involved young children being subjected to sexual abuse by adults.

During the hearing, the court was informed that Samuel had admitted to seven counts related to the possession and creation of indecent, prohibited, or extreme images. The police investigation was part of a broader operation that initially focused on an unrelated case in Gloucestershire, which led to Samuel’s identification and subsequent arrest. The authorities seized his computer equipment as evidence and placed him under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, allowing law enforcement to monitor his internet activity moving forward.

Judge Gilbert did not hold back in his condemnation, stating, “You have pleaded guilty to serious offences of making indecent images of children, the nature of which I will not describe in public. What you did demonstrated extreme depravity on your part, and the explanation you gave about a medical condition is simply not acceptable as a justification for looking at these appalling images.” The judge also noted that many letters had been sent to the court praising Samuel’s character, but he warned that such commendations would be shockingly misplaced if the writers knew the full extent of his conduct.

In sentencing, Samuel was given an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with a fine of £450 to cover court costs. His computer equipment was confiscated, and he was ordered to adhere to the terms of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which will enable police to keep a close watch on his future internet use. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images and highlights the importance of monitoring online activity to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.