HORFIELD MEN SIMON BAIN AND DAVID BEST SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY RAID IN BRISTOL

In March 2003, two men from the Horfield area, Simon Bain and David Best, faced serious criminal charges after police uncovered a substantial collection of child exploitation material during a raid on their shared residence. The investigation revealed that both individuals had engaged in the possession and distribution of indecent images of minors, leading to their subsequent conviction and sentencing.

Police officers executed a search warrant at the men’s home on Oak Road, Horfield, on July 31 of the previous year, following a detailed two-year investigation into their activities. The raid uncovered a disturbing cache of evidence, including 140 video cassettes, of which 40 contained indecent films featuring children aged between six and 15. Fingerprints belonging to both Bain, aged 38, and Best, aged 43, were found on these tapes, establishing their direct involvement. The authorities also linked the two men to a third individual, Andrew Smith, through forensic evidence.

Further examination of the scene revealed a computer actively downloading pornography from the internet during the raid. When investigators analyzed the computer’s hard drive and associated storage media, they discovered a staggering total of 1,490 indecent images of children aged six to 15 on the hard drive alone. An additional 5,439 images were found on CD-ROM discs. The material predominantly depicted adolescent and prepubescent boys, with approximately 80% of the images involving children aged 12 to 16, and the remaining 20% involving children under the age of twelve. The content was overwhelmingly focused on minors, with only a minimal number of images involving adults.

During police interviews, Best chose not to comment on the allegations, while Bain initially claimed that he was not involved and that his use of the computer was limited to copying old material. However, he later admitted to designing a logo that appeared on some of the videos. The investigation extended to Smith’s residence in Westbury-on-Trym, where similar pornography was found, with fingerprints linking all three men to the material.

Both men had prior criminal histories related to sexual offenses. Bain had previously served a nine-month prison sentence in 1987 for making indecent photographs of children and had also been convicted of aiding and abetting a serious sexual offense committed by his older brother involving a 16-year-old boy. Best had a record of possessing indecent images of children as well.

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Tom Crowther QC sentenced Bain and Best to 15 months in prison each. The judge also disqualified both men from working with children indefinitely and ordered that they be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years. Additionally, the court mandated the destruction of all pornographic material and computer hard drives seized during the investigation.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Crowther emphasized the gravity of their offenses, stating, “I can see no distinction between you. It is sometimes thought when offences like this are committed there are no victims. But every boy involved was behaving in a perfectly unnatural way to give pleasure to those who come into possession of the images.” The judge also ordered an extended period of supervision following their release from prison, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes and the potential risk to the community.