SHAUN MCCANDLESS FROM BINBROOK SENTENCED FOR REPEATED OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND STREET PEEPING IN GRIMSBY

In October 2014, Shaun McCandless, a 50-year-old former Royal Air Force corporal residing in Binbrook, was sentenced to a 15-month prison term following his repeated violations of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and his ongoing possession of indecent images of children. The case was heard at Grimsby Crown Court, where it was revealed that McCandless had a troubling history of inappropriate behavior towards minors and had continued to indulge in such conduct despite legal restrictions.

McCandless’s criminal activities first came to light in March 2003, when he was convicted of making and possessing indecent images of children. He received a four-month jail sentence for these offenses. Despite this conviction, no Sexual Offences Prevention Order was initially imposed. However, in June 2007, Humberside Police successfully applied to the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Magistrates’ Court for such an order, citing concerns about his behavior. The order was designed to restrict his access to technology and prevent further offending, and it prohibited him from owning or using computers or smartphones except for employment or training purposes, taking pictures or videos of females under 16, inviting underage girls into his home, and deleting his internet history.

During a search of his residence on the Grange estate in Grimsby earlier that year, authorities discovered pornographic films featuring teenage girls and 122 photographs, most of which had been taken covertly of children playing in the street. The police found children’s underwear and shoes during the search, raising serious concerns about his conduct, although there was no evidence of physical contact with any minors at that time.

On July 15 of the same year, a police risk assessment officer passing by McCandless’s home observed a group of children under the age of 14 playing in his garden. The children were promptly removed, and officers returned the following day to conduct a thorough search of the property. During this search, they recovered children’s shoes, underwear, a mobile phone, and a laptop. Although there was no evidence of physical abuse, the officers found material that raised alarm bells, including indecent images of an eight-year-old girl, photographs of children aged three to 12 in swimwear, and images of 10 to 14-year-olds in pajamas. The devices also contained internet searches related to children and sexual activities, and McCandless had installed software to delete his internet history and prevent access to certain images, dating back to 2012.

Further investigations led to McCandless’s relocation to Binbrook, where police visited his new address on August 5. During this visit, they discovered two additional smartphones, one of which contained images of two children playing in the village. Forensic analysis of all the devices uncovered more disturbing content, including an indecent image of an eight-year-old girl, photographs of children in swimwear and pajamas, and numerous internet searches related to children and sexual acts. The evidence indicated that McCandless had been actively viewing and collecting such material over several years.

Mitigating his actions, McCandless’s defense attorney, Katya Saudek, argued that her client was “crying out for help” and expressed a desire to cease his inappropriate behavior. She emphasized that he “lived in a fantasy world” and had not sought to engage in any sexual activity with children. Saudek also highlighted that McCandless suffered from depression and had the support of his family, including his son. She expressed concern that he might not receive adequate help if incarcerated.

However, Judge David Tremberg emphasized the importance of protecting the public and stated that McCandless’s repeated violations demonstrated either an inability or an unwillingness to comply with the restrictions set by the court. The judge concluded that imprisonment was necessary to prevent further harm and to uphold public safety. As part of his sentencing, McCandless was handed a 15-month prison term and was subject to a new Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which will remain in effect indefinitely, ensuring ongoing restrictions on his behavior and access to technology.