CLIFTON MAN TERENCE DOWNS JAILED FOR CHILD AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN NOTTINGHAM

In October 2017, 63-year-old Terence Downs of Kinsale Walk, Clifton, was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to downloading and possessing indecent images of children and animals. The Nottingham Crown Court heard that Downs had used the internet to access such material, including typing the word "paedo" into a website to see what would happen.

Prosecutor Thandi Lucky explained, "He typed 'paedo' to see what would happen. He was on a chat room where individuals discuss harmful desires involving children. He denied being sexually attracted to children, claiming he was simply curious."

Downs pleaded guilty to three counts of downloading indecent images of children and one count of possessing images of bestiality. High Court Judge Finola O’Farrell ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years, stating, "There was the inclusion of moving images, and it’s more serious because it involved very young children. The youngest was under two. The pre-sentence report indicates you are in denial of the extent of your attraction to children."

The judge acknowledged Downs’ previously clean record and noted that the offences occurred after medical issues prevented him from engaging in sexual activity with his long-term partner of 37 years. She also remarked on Downs’ positive personal references, describing him as a "kind, friendly, and caring man" and highlighting his productive employment history.

As part of his sentence, Downs must adhere to a two-year sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from having contact with children under 18, including making his computer available for police inspection and not deleting visited website details. During sentencing, the judge recognized that he had no prior criminal record.

Defence indicative Jennifer Wells told the court that during the adjournment period, Downs had reflected on how his actions affected others, especially imagining if his own grandchildren were victims. She emphasized his continued support from his family and requested that the sentence be suspended so he could attend probation courses aimed at preventing future offending.

Authorities found several items among the seized digital evidence classified as Category A, the most depraved level. In a related case from earlier that year, Downs admitted to downloading a total of 12 Category A images, six Category B images, 61 Category C images, and possessing 24 extreme images of bestiality, highlighting the severity of his actions.

Additionally, in September 2017, Downs appeared at Nottingham Crown Court facing charges of possessing explicit images depicting serious sexual acts involving children. Prosecutor Lee Shepherd detailed that police executed a search at Downs’ home on May 27, with only Downs and his wife present, and confiscated multiple computers for analysis.

Shepherd emphasized that such illegal material fuels the industry of child abuse and urged that these offences should be handled at the Crown Court level due to their seriousness. Deputy District Judge Claire Evans noted that some images classified as Class A warranted higher penalties and transferred the case to the Crown Court, where the potential sentence could be longer than one year.

In both hearings, Downs admitted to downloading multiple categories of indecent images, including the most serious ones involving children and bestiality, underscoring the gravity of his crimes.