SIMON HOWELL WATERLOOVILLE PAEDOPHILE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL

In a case that has shocked the community of Waterlooville, Simon Howell, a man with a troubling history involving child abuse images, was spared imprisonment despite clear evidence of his involvement in possessing and attempting to conceal such material. The incident dates back to November 3, 2020, when police officers conducted a raid on Howell’s residence located on Thrush Walk in Waterlooville. During this operation, authorities discovered that Howell had failed to declare six devices capable of internet access, which he had not previously disclosed to law enforcement. Additionally, he did not inform officers about a specific Instagram username associated with his online activity.

During the subsequent police interview, prosecutor Richard Cherill described Howell’s responses as ‘evasive at best,’ indicating a reluctance or attempt to hide his actions. Despite the serious nature of the evidence, Howell was handed an 11-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation, emphasizing the court’s focus on his potential for reform rather than immediate incarceration.

Earlier, in October 2020, Howell’s case had already garnered attention due to the discovery of over 800 ‘horrific’ child abuse images on his devices. This collection included both still images and videos depicting children aged between five and twelve years old being subjected to or participating in sexual acts. The police raid at Howell’s Waterlooville home on November 23, 2018, revealed this disturbing cache of material, which Howell had attempted to hide using encryption on his HP laptop and Samsung mobile phone. Despite his denials, the evidence was overwhelming, with authorities finding 14 Category A images, 77 Category B, and 731 Category C images, classified based on their severity and explicitness.

Further incriminating searches were uncovered on Howell’s devices, including terms such as ‘boys in shower,’ ‘little boys with speedos off,’ ‘young boy erection,’ and ‘boys naked Japan,’ indicating a pattern of interest in young boys. The offending behavior spanned over two years, from June 2016 to November 2018. Although Howell denied three charges of making indecent images of children, he was found guilty following a trial in September. Throughout the proceedings and even during sentencing, Howell maintained his innocence.

Judge William Ashworth addressed Howell directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions: ‘Each image represents a moment in a child’s life where they are horrifically abused in circumstances where they are completely unable to defend themselves with the trauma often life-long.’ The judge acknowledged Howell’s vulnerabilities, including his social isolation, the loss of his parents, and his learning difficulties, which may have contributed to his offending. Despite the fact that the case exceeded the threshold for custody, Judge Ashworth decided that a custodial sentence was not appropriate in this instance, citing Howell’s circumstances and the need for him to work with probation services instead.

Instead of prison, Howell was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes 35 days of rehabilitation and participation in a sex offender’s program. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed to restrict his future behavior. The judge noted that Howell was deemed ‘unsuitable’ for unpaid work and a curfew, and due to his limited financial means, a fine was not imposed. The court’s primary focus was on Howell confronting the reality of his actions, rather than punitive measures, with Judge Ashworth stating, ‘Unusually, the only punishment is for you having to confront what you did.’ This case underscores the complex considerations courts must weigh when dealing with offenders who have significant vulnerabilities but also pose a serious risk to the community.