DARTFORD MAN STEPHEN WINTERBONE ESCAPES JAIL OVER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

On February 10, 2012, a serious case involving Stephen Winterbone, a resident of Dartford, unfolded at Maidstone Crown Court, highlighting the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the judicial response to such crimes. Winterbone, a 50-year-old supermarket delivery driver living on Priory Road in Dartford, was found to have downloaded an alarming collection of over 2,000 images depicting child sexual abuse. Despite the severity of his actions, he was spared immediate imprisonment, a decision that sparked debate about the most effective way to protect the public and rehabilitate offenders.

According to court records, Winterbone pleaded guilty to eight counts of making indecent photographs of a child and two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images involving bestiality. These offenses spanned from March 2009 to March of the following year. The police investigation was initiated when officers visited his bedsit on March 14 of the previous year, while Winterbone was absent. During the search, authorities seized three laptops, which contained the illicit material. The images were categorized at various levels of severity, with 1,876 images at the lowest level, and others reaching up to level five, the most extreme. Additionally, there were 32 images at level two, 103 at level three, and 68 at level four, illustrating the disturbing nature of the content.

Prosecutor Keith Yardy explained that Winterbone was later arrested at the Dartford Borough Council civic centre. During police interviews, he denied any attraction to children, claiming instead that his interests were limited to mature women. He also expressed that he found child pornography to be deplorable, attempting to distance himself from the material he had downloaded.

Defence lawyer Liam Loughlin acknowledged that Winterbone was somewhat relieved that his actions had come to light and emphasized that his client recognized the need for help and support. The court heard that Winterbone’s motivations appeared to be rooted in personal sexual gratification, with the judge, Philip Statman, condemning his actions. The judge stated that Winterbone had downloaded the images solely for his own sexual pleasure, without regard for the profound harm inflicted on the victims depicted.

Judge Statman considered the possibility of a custodial sentence but ultimately decided against immediate imprisonment. He explained that a short jail term would likely result in Winterbone’s quick release, rendering the punishment ineffective in addressing the underlying issues. Instead, the judge opted for a community order lasting three years, which includes mandatory participation in an 80-session sex offender treatment program. The judge emphasized that this approach, though more challenging, offers a better chance for rehabilitation and public safety.

Furthermore, Winterbone was prohibited from working with children and was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years. A sexual offences prevention order was also imposed, lasting the same duration, to monitor and restrict his activities. The court’s decision reflects a nuanced approach to dealing with offenders of this nature, balancing punishment, rehabilitation, and community protection.