SIMON CHURCH FROM ST DENNIS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN

In October 2019, a disturbing case involving Simon James Vernon Church, a resident of Hall Road in St Dennis near St Austell, came to light through a police investigation that uncovered a significant collection of child sexual abuse images. The investigation was initiated after a police raid on his home on October 26, 2018, which revealed the extent of his disturbing online activity.

During the raid, authorities discovered two laptops belonging to Church that contained a total of 165 still images and two videos depicting the most severe category of child abuse, known as Category A. These images and videos included horrifying scenes such as anal rapes of five-year-olds, as well as the sexual assault of babies and toddlers. The material was among the worst of its kind, illustrating the heinous nature of his offenses.

In addition to the Category A content, the police found 248 photographs and one film classified as Category B, which also involved indecent images of minors. Furthermore, there were 570 images categorized as Category C, indicating a significant and disturbing collection of illegal material. An examination of Church’s internet history revealed searches with terms like “pre-teen” and “underage,” suggesting a premeditated interest in underage children.

Church’s interactions with law enforcement included a confession that he did not initially set out to view such extreme images but became curious after browsing online for general pornography. He admitted to having viewed child pornography for a period of seven or eight years. During questioning, he also disclosed that he had contemplated abusing his own children but ultimately did not act on these thoughts, insisting that it was merely a fantasy and not a real intention.

Prosecutor Philip Lee, speaking at Truro Crown Court on October 4, detailed the severity of the case, emphasizing the grotesque nature of the images and the fact that the children depicted were raped solely for the entertainment of offenders like Church. The court was informed that Church had engaged in peer-to-peer sharing of these images, although he denied any knowledge of how this activity was conducted.

In sentencing, Judge Simon Carr condemned Church’s actions, stating, “These children were only raped for your entertainment. It’s a business and you’re part of that business.” The judge sentenced Church to 15 months in prison and ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the threat he posed to society.

Church’s case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and serves as a stark reminder of the heinous crimes committed behind closed doors. His release in May 2020 does not diminish the seriousness of his offenses, which have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community of St Dennis.