PAUL SIMMS FROM MAESTEG CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN LITTLEHAMPTON

In October 2002, a disturbing case emerged involving Paul Simms, a man from Maesteg, who was found to be in possession of illegal child pornography. The incident came to light after Simms took his personal computer to a local repair shop in Littlehampton for maintenance. The repair technicians, upon inspecting his device, discovered a collection of indecent images stored within folders labeled "my pictures" and "my videos." Recognizing the severity of the content, the staff promptly reported their findings to the police authorities.

Subsequently, law enforcement officials responded swiftly. They obtained a search warrant for Simms' residence located on Norfolk Road in Littlehampton. The police action was initiated following a tip-off from the repair center, where Simms had left his keyboard for repairs. During the search of his home, officers uncovered additional evidence, including a computer disc containing more downloaded photographs of a disturbing nature.

At Chichester Crown Court, prosecutor Beverley Cherrill detailed the findings, revealing that police had identified a total of 38 indecent images on Simms' devices. Many of these images were classified as involving gay child pornography, with the severity of the images rated between levels seven and nine on a scale where one indicates the least serious and ten the most. The court was informed that Simms admitted to accessing internet chat rooms where he received these images, claiming he was unaware that possessing such material was illegal.

During a police interview, Simms acknowledged his online activity but maintained that he did not realize the law prohibited him from keeping the images. His defense attorney, Piers Power, stated that Simms had not attempted to deny the possession and had previously pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates Court to the charge of possessing indecent photographs of children. Power emphasized that Simms recognized the harm caused to victims, saying, "He knows that if it wasn’t for people like him, those children would not be asked to go through what they do."

Judge Anthony Thorpe delivered the sentence, underscoring the importance of protecting society's most vulnerable. He remarked, "Courts have a special duty to protect the young and vulnerable in society, particularly from acts of depravity, and they can only do so by passing appropriate sentences to make it clear that such crimes will not be tolerated." As part of his punishment, Simms was ordered to participate in a sex offenders' rehabilitation program for 160 hours and to be listed on the sex offenders' register for five years.

In response, Arun District Council issued a statement clarifying that Simms' role as an office superintendent did not involve any responsibilities related to minors or children. They confirmed that his offenses were committed entirely in his personal capacity at his home, using his own computer equipment. The council also announced that Simms had been suspended from his duties, which included the maintenance and operation of the Arun Civic Centre, pending further investigation.