RANDOLPH GREENLAND CONNAH'S QUAY CHILD ABUSE IMAGES OFFENDER AVOIDS JAIL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Connah's Quay, 58-year-old Randolph Greenland was brought before Mold Crown Court to face serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. Greenland, a shop manager residing on Llwyni Drive in Connah's Quay, was found guilty of downloading and sharing explicit material involving minors, a crime that has garnered significant attention due to its disturbing nature.

Greenland admitted to the court that between January 2005 and December of the previous year, he had created a total of 54 indecent photographs and videos of children by downloading these illicit files from the internet. His actions were uncovered after police executed a search warrant at his residence, where they seized a laptop, a tower computer, and several CDs. These items contained the incriminating material, which was later analyzed and confirmed to be indecent images of minors.

It was also revealed that Greenland had a prior conviction for possessing child pornography back in 2001. This previous conviction added weight to the current case, as it demonstrated a pattern of offending behavior. During the investigation, police discovered a more serious offence involving the distribution of indecent material. An image linked to this offence was found on a device in Kent, which led to further scrutiny of Greenland's activities.

In court, Greenland pleaded guilty to the charges, which included the creation and distribution of indecent images. The judge, Philip Hughes, acknowledged the severity of the offences, especially considering Greenland's criminal history. Despite the gravity of the case, Greenland was spared immediate imprisonment and was instead sentenced to a three-year community order. As part of this sentence, he is required to be supervised by the probation service and to participate in a community sex offender group programme.

Furthermore, Greenland is prohibited from owning or using any computers and is barred from approaching or communicating with children under the age of 16. He is also not allowed to reside at or even stay overnight at any property where a child is present. The court also ordered that Greenland be banned from engaging in any employment or organized activity involving children.

During the hearing, it was noted that Greenland continued to work as a shop manager, although he had been transferred to another store within his company. The court also ordered Greenland to register as a sex offender for the next five years and to pay costs amounting to £722. All computers and indecent materials seized during the investigation were confiscated and ordered to be destroyed.

Prosecutor Gareth Parry mentioned that a camcorder, which contained photographs of Greenland’s late wife and was not involved in the offences, would be returned to him. He also pointed out that 11 of the images seized were classified as level four, indicating a higher degree of seriousness. Greenland initially denied any involvement when questioned but admitted to accessing adult pornography, claiming that he would delete any child porn files if they appeared on his computer.

Judge Hughes emphasized the seriousness of creating and distributing such images, especially given Greenland’s previous conviction. He warned Greenland that any breach of the court’s orders could result in a prison sentence. The judge’s decision to impose a community order rather than immediate imprisonment was influenced by various factors, but he made it clear that Greenland’s actions had severe consequences and that further violations would not be tolerated.