ROBERT O’FARRELL FROM DEEPING ST JAMES JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN LINCOLN

In September 2017, a serious case of child exploitation and possession of indecent images came to light involving Robert O’Farrell, a resident of Deeping St James in Lincolnshire. O’Farrell, aged 32, was taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at his parents’ residence in Deeping St James. The authorities acted on intelligence that suggested the presence of illicit material on his personal devices.

During the search, law enforcement officers seized a hard drive and various computer equipment from O’Farrell’s bedroom within the family home. The devices were subsequently examined by digital forensic experts, revealing a disturbing collection of indecent images of children. The analysis uncovered a total of 213 images, categorized into the most severe Category A, with 21 images falling into this classification. Additionally, there were 13 images classified as Category B and a further 179 images in Category C, indicating a significant and troubling possession of illegal material.

O’Farrell, who had no prior criminal record, remained silent during police interviews, choosing not to comment on the allegations. He was later charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. His legal situation was further complicated by the fact that he had previously been known to authorities but had no convictions at the time of his arrest.

In court, O’Farrell, formerly residing on Swift Close in Deeping St James but now without a fixed address, was sentenced to nine months in prison. The judge, Simon Hirst, emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that such crimes are not victimless. As part of his sentence, O’Farrell was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years and was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his future conduct.

Judge Hirst addressed the court and the defendant, highlighting the troubling nature of the case. He pointed out some unusual aspects, including the fact that O’Farrell had created two online accounts pretending to be a child, although no criminal activity was directly linked to these accounts. The judge also noted that recent behavior indicated O’Farrell had revisited the images, which was confirmed by his own self-reporting to the Probation Service. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the offense and the ongoing concern about the potential risk posed by individuals involved in such crimes.