TIMOTHY GARVEY, A STUDENT FROM LANCASTER, JAILED IN PRESTON FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A university student known for his academic pursuits has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. Timothy Garvey, 21, who was studying English Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University and residing above The Royal Hotel in Lancaster, was arrested after horrifying images he had downloaded were discovered.

The court was told that fellow students, who stumbled upon the disturbing pictures in shared accommodation, promptly alerted authorities due to the disturbing nature of the images. Garvey was charged with 10 counts of possessing indecent photographs of children. He denied the charges, claiming that the images had been sent to him unsolicited via email and that he had not actively viewed them. However, after a three-day trial, a jury found him guilty.

During the trial, Iain Simkin, defending Garvey, acknowledged that his client now accepted his guilt and recognized the wrongdoing involved. Mr. Simkin explained that before moving into his current accommodation, Garvey had become obsessed with pornography, which contributed to his actions. “It was accepted the images were revolting,” he added.

The court was also told that Garvey, who had no prior criminal record and was considered to have a promising future, would find imprisonment especially difficult. The judge, David Boulton, sentenced Garvey to four months in prison, emphasizing the severity of the crimes involved. The judge highlighted that the victims were young children who had been subjected to horrific abuse for the entertainment of others.

Judge Boulton mentioned that the case was consistent with others stemming from a significant FBI investigation into global online pornography, which had led the Court of Appeal to establish sentencing guidelines. He stated, “A prison term was inevitable whatever his personal circumstances.”

A Lancaster Police spokesperson commented, “The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and should act as a deterrent to others participating in this type of activity.”