SOUTHALL MAN SIMON MOTT SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES AFTER MOTHER'S DEATH

In a case that has shocked the community of Southall, Simon Mott, a 43-year-old former tube driver, was convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children, with his criminal activities coming to light following a series of police investigations spanning over a year.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Mott's descent into this disturbing behavior was linked to personal tragedy. After the death of his mother from cancer, Mott reportedly returned to viewing and downloading child pornography, a pattern that had previously been identified in 2001. His actions came under scrutiny when he failed to comply with a court order to sign the sex offenders register, which was a requirement stemming from his earlier offences.

The police first visited Mott’s residence on a January day in 2004, after he neglected to register as a sex offender. During this initial raid, officers discovered a collection of indecent images stored on his electronic devices. Mott was subsequently charged with multiple offences related to the possession and distribution of such material and was released on bail pending further investigation.

However, the situation escalated in April of the same year when a second police raid was conducted while Mott was still on bail. This operation uncovered thousands of additional images stored on various hard drives and electronic equipment, which were kept in secure garages. Some of these images were classified as level four or five, indicating the most severe category of child pornography, involving explicit sexual acts between children and adults, including penetrative acts.

During the trial, prosecutor John Hulme highlighted that investigators managed to identify one of the children depicted in the images. The child was confirmed to be approximately 15 years old at the time the photographs were taken, adding a layer of seriousness to the case.

Mott’s defense, represented by Clive Smith, attempted to explain his client’s actions by suggesting that Mott had been influenced by a relationship with a gay man he met in an online chat room. According to Smith, this individual was knowledgeable about computers and had built a custom computer for Mott, introducing him to the images he was convicted of possessing in 2001. Smith described Mott as a man of good character prior to these events and emphasized his close relationship with his mother, who had recently passed away from cancer. The defense also pointed out that Mott had been employed by London Underground for 19 years, describing that period as a happy time in his life, before his involvement in the latest offences.

While in custody awaiting sentencing, Mott reportedly expressed remorse and indicated his intention to turn his life around. The court heard that he had learned his lesson and was committed to making positive changes.

Judge Sam Katkhuda sentenced Mott to four years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of the offences. The judge stated, “A large number of images as were found in your possession on two occasions – images which depict children in explicit sexual activity. Such images involve the indirect exploitation of children in an abusive and degrading way, and the courts take a serious view of these offences of child pornography. People who commit offences of this nature must expect to go to prison, because such images mark the general public revulsion against child pornography, and it is a serious matter. It is damaging to the children involved, and they have to live with it for the rest of their lives.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Mott was subject to a series of strict court orders under the Sexual Offences Prevention Act. These included a lifelong ban on working with children and twelve conditions designed to prevent any contact with minors under the age of 16. Furthermore, he was prohibited from owning or using any computer equipment, accessing the internet, or possessing any discs containing child pornography. These restrictions are set to remain in place for ten years, reflecting the court’s determination to prevent any future offences and protect vulnerable children from potential harm.