SIMON ASHTON FROM DARLINGTON ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Darlington, Simon Ashton, a 44-year-old engineer, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of indecent images involving children. The incident came to light following a police raid on his residence in Chestnut Drive on September 26 of the previous year.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that Ashton’s laptop contained a number of indecent photographs of minors. Although he admitted to downloading adult pornography from the internet, Ashton maintained that he did not intentionally store any images of children. However, forensic analysis by computer experts revealed that a significant number of indecent images of children had been created and subsequently deleted from his device.

Further examination showed that Ashton, who works as an engineer at Durham Tees Valley Airport, had visited various pornographic websites, some of which contained material involving minors, animals, or acts of torture. The police found evidence suggesting that he had made five specific indecent photographs of children between June and September of the previous year. He was charged with five counts of making indecent photographs of a child. Additionally, he faced a charge of possessing a further 68 indecent images, but this was dismissed on the grounds that these images had been deleted and could not be retrieved.

At Teesside Crown Court, Judge Peter Bowers addressed Ashton directly, emphasizing the gravity of child pornography. He stated, “The internet is a great blessing, but it is also a great curse. The problem with child pornography is that it represents horrific abuse of children. In many respects, this case involves far fewer images than many I have had to deal with.”

Prosecutor Deborah Sherwin explained that the police found Ashton’s laptop actively downloading adult pornography at the time of the raid. During police interviews, Ashton claimed he did not intentionally seek out images of children. He stated that sometimes, when clicking on adult images, he would inadvertently come across pictures involving minors, animals, or acts of torture, which he would then delete. Despite this, subsequent forensic analysis revealed previously deleted images of children, which led to further questioning.

In light of the evidence, Ashton was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes supervision by the probation service. He was also ordered to attend a sex offenders’ group work programme, pay costs of £500, and sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. His laptop was confiscated as part of the court’s measures. The judge acknowledged the case’s severity but noted that Ashton’s actions involved fewer images than many other cases he had presided over, ultimately deciding that a custodial sentence was not appropriate in this instance.