SCARLETT LEE FROM BRIDGEND SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES AND SHPO BREACHES

Scarlett Lee, a 30-year-old woman formerly known as Scott Henwood and based in Bridgend, has been handed a significant prison sentence after a series of serious breaches related to her previous conviction for possessing child sexual abuse images. Her case, heard at Cardiff Crown Court, revealed a troubling pattern of violations despite her being under strict court orders designed to prevent her from engaging in further illegal activities.

In February of the previous year, Lee was convicted of possessing a prohibited image of a child, which led to her being subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). This order was intended to restrict her access to any material or activity that could facilitate further offenses. Alongside the SHPO, she received a two-year community order, sex offender notification requirements, and other restrictions aimed at monitoring her behavior and preventing reoffense.

However, during her time under these restrictions, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence that she continued to engage in illegal activities. At a support accommodation in Bridgend, a support worker discovered a sexual message on her phone, raising immediate concerns. Initially, Lee denied using the internet on the dark web, but she later admitted to possessing inappropriate content on her laptop. When police examined her devices, they found a folder containing 80 animated images depicting adults engaging in sexual acts with children, a clear violation of her court orders and a grave indication of her ongoing interest in child exploitation.

Lee was granted bail after her initial arrest, but her violations did not cease. On March 12 of this year, she breached her SHPO by accessing a YouTube account under a different name. She claimed that she believed her SHPO had been updated to include her new identity after she changed her name through a deed poll, but this was not the case. Her failure to adhere to court orders was further underscored by her previous breaches, including an eight-month suspended sentence for similar violations.

During her sentencing hearing, the court heard about her personal struggles, which included mental health issues, autism, bipolar disorder, experiences of bullying, and estrangement from her family following her transition. Her solicitor argued that these factors should be considered in mitigation. Despite this, the judge emphasized that Lee had shown little regard for court orders and demonstrated a persistent interest in child abuse images. She denied having a sexual interest in children or understanding the implications of her SHPO, which the court found deeply concerning.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Scarlett Lee to two years and four months in prison. She will also remain subject to ongoing sex offender registration and SHPO requirements. The judge expressed a bleak outlook on her prospects for rehabilitation, stating there was 'no or little realistic prospect of rehabilitation,' highlighting the severity of her repeated violations and the dangerous nature of her offending behavior.