SIMON ROSE FROM ST LEONARDS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE

In a significant case brought before Hove Crown Court, Simon Rose, aged 35 and residing in Lovat Mead, St Leonards, was sentenced to a five-year prison term after admitting to multiple serious offences related to child exploitation. The court heard that Rose was responsible for distributing and possessing indecent images of children, a crime that has profound implications for the victims and the community alike.

Rose's criminal activities did not stop there. He also pleaded guilty to three separate breaches of a court-imposed Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which was designed to restrict his online activities and prevent further offenses. Additionally, he failed to comply with notification requirements mandated by law for registered sex offenders, further aggravating his legal situation. As a result of his convictions, Rose was served with an Indefinite Sexual Offence Prevention Order, and upon his release from prison, he will remain a registered sex offender for life.

The history of Rose’s offending dates back to 2008 when he was convicted in Essex, where he previously lived. At that time, he received a 24-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of creating indecent images of children. This earlier conviction also included the imposition of a SOPO and registration as a sex offender, highlighting the ongoing concern about his behavior.

In 2010, Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) initiated a new investigation into Rose’s activities. This was prompted by fresh intelligence indicating that he was continuing to offend online. During his participation in a Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (SOTP) in Brighton, Rose was found to have used internet cafés in Brighton and Hastings to distribute indecent images of children, primarily young boys. His online activities raised alarm among authorities, prompting further scrutiny.

Rose’s arrest came after he was released on conditional bail. However, in September of the previous year, as he was about to face formal charges, a separate incident occurred. A mother, concerned about a man contacting her via Facebook in an attempt to establish a relationship, reported her suspicions to Kent Police. Investigations revealed that Rose had contacted her under a false name, which led to his arrest for breaching his SOPO. He was subsequently charged with the breach, along with the possession of indecent images and the failure to adhere to sex offender registration requirements.

Importantly, authorities confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest that Rose had engaged in any direct contact offenses against children, nor was there any indication that images involving local children were part of his offenses. Nonetheless, Detective Constable Jane Tunnicliff emphasized the severity of his online activities, stating, “Rose was still using the internet to distribute indecent images of very young children, mainly young boys, even after being sentenced for a similar offence. Every image is of child sexual abuse and exploitation.”

Detective Constable Tunnicliff also expressed concern over Rose’s attempt to develop an online relationship with a woman who had young children, suggesting that part of his motivation might have been to groom very young boys for sexual activity. She praised the woman who came forward, noting that she was quickly informed about Rose’s activities and reassured that measures were being taken to prevent him from posing any further threat.

Detective Inspector Jez Prior highlighted Sussex Police’s commitment to safeguarding children, stating, “Sussex Police will always treat calls from members of the public seriously where they raise concerns that a child may be at risk, and where necessary, as in this case, we will take immediate steps to safeguard a child in danger.” He also mentioned the Child Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme (CSODS), which allows parents and community members to request information about individuals in contact with their families, reinforcing the police’s proactive approach to child protection.