RICHARD GOUNDRY SENTENCED IN YORK FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENCES INVOLVING MIDDLESBROUGH, SUNDERLAND, AND WHITBY

A man from Whitby has been handed a prison sentence of four and a half years after admitting to serious offences involving indecent images of children. Richard Goundry, aged 38, who was previously registered as a sex offender, appeared before York Crown Court where he was convicted of multiple charges related to the possession, creation, and distribution of indecent images. The investigation into Goundry’s activities was extensive and spanned over several years, revealing that he had produced and shared nearly 2,000 images across various categories, some of which were classified as the most serious types of child exploitation material.

Goundry’s criminal history includes prior convictions for similar offences in Middlesbrough in 2015 and Sunderland in 2005. He moved to Whitby in March 2016, and by that time, authorities were already aware of his status as a registered sex offender. The police’s concern was heightened by intelligence suggesting that Goundry was involved in the production and dissemination of indecent images, as well as attempting to facilitate a child sex offence.

Between January and March 2017, North Yorkshire Police launched a detailed investigation, focusing on Goundry’s IP address at his residence in Whitby. This probe was part of a broader effort by the Public Protection Unit to uncover online child exploitation activities. During this period, officers from the Digital Investigation and Intelligence team identified that Goundry was responsible for creating hundreds of indecent images in June 2019. This discovery prompted his immediate remand in custody, both to safeguard the public and to prevent further offending while the investigation continued.

Goundry faced multiple charges, including two counts of distributing indecent images of children, six counts of making such images—covering nearly 2,000 images across categories A, B, and C—two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, failure to comply with notification requirements on the sex offenders’ register, and attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence. His guilty plea led to his sentencing at York Crown Court on Thursday, 14 November 2019.

Detective Constable Graeme Boast, who was involved in the digital investigation, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that the case demonstrated the expertise and dedication of North Yorkshire Police’s specialist units. He highlighted that the investigation was complex, involving meticulous examination of a large volume of digital material recovered during the inquiry. Boast also noted that Goundry’s status as a registered sex offender meant he was under close surveillance, which ultimately enabled authorities to apprehend him again and prevent further harm to the community.

Upon release, Goundry will be subject to an extended licence period of four years, a measure designed to monitor his activities and reduce the risk of reoffending. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies in the region to combat child exploitation and hold offenders accountable, especially those with a history of such crimes in Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and now Whitby.