PHILIP DOWN FROM WESTLEA SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AT SWINDON CROWN COURT

In October 2006, a disturbing case emerged involving Philip Down, a man residing in Westlea, Swindon, who was found guilty of possessing a large collection of indecent images of children. The investigation revealed that Down, a former tennis coach, had stored hundreds of vile and explicit photographs depicting young boys and girls being subjected to abuse on two separate computers.

The authorities uncovered a total of 506 indecent images and videos, including a particularly disturbing 23-minute movie, during their probe. The investigation was initiated in 2002 when officers questioned Down over an unrelated matter, which led to the discovery of the first set of illicit images on his computer. Due to a backlog of similar cases, the full extent of his offenses was not revealed until the following year, when further images were uncovered on a second computer.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke detailed the severity of the findings, stating that among the images, 24 fell into the most serious categories of abuse. He also highlighted the disturbing nature of the communications found on Down’s devices, which included graphic and detailed emails. These emails revealed that Down engaged in sexually explicit conversations with an online contact, during which the possibility of forceful sodomy of a 12-year-old boy was discussed, raising serious concerns about his intentions and mindset.

Philip Down, aged 32 at the time, pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of possession. He lived at Chesterfield Close in Westlea, Swindon, and had worked as a head tennis coach at the Delta Tennis Centre in Swindon from 2001 until 2003, after which he moved to a club in Chippenham. His previous employment involved working with children, and there had been no prior complaints about his conduct during his time as a coach.

During the court proceedings, Down’s defense argued that although the email exchanges were disturbing, they were not illegal, and insisted that he was not advocating child rape. His solicitor claimed that the conversations were part of the other person’s fantasy and that Down did not wish to be involved in such acts. Currently, Down was self-employed in a catalogue business that involved distributing materials across town, and the defense emphasized that his past work with children had not raised concerns.

The defense also suggested that if Down were to be jailed, he would serve only a few months before being released without any support. They argued that participation in a sex offenders’ treatment program would be a more effective way to mitigate the risk of re-offending. Furthermore, they agreed that a sex offenders’ prevention order should be imposed to restrict his liberty.

Judge Tom Longbotham delivered the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the offense. He stated, “These are real children being abused by adults. They don’t want to be there, but they are there, and your offending perpetuates this abuse.”

As part of his punishment, Down received a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, on the condition that he completes a sex offenders’ program. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years. The court also imposed a sexual offenders’ prevention order, which prohibits him from approaching anyone under 16, working with children, or staying at a residence with children other than his sister’s home, aiming to prevent any further harm.