VAN SLOUN FROM BARBOURNE IN WORCESTER FREED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SENTENCE REDUCED
In a significant development, Van Sloun, a 37-year-old resident of Selbourne Road in the Barbourne area of Worcester, has been released from custody following an appeal that successfully reduced his prison sentence.The case, which garnered considerable attention, involved serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children.
Originally, Van Sloun was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Worcester Crown Court in December of the previous year.
This sentence was handed down after he pleaded guilty to five counts of making indecent images of children and for breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
The court's decision was based on evidence that he had downloaded more than 46,000 such images, a substantial and disturbing quantity that underscored the severity of his actions.
At the time of sentencing, the court was informed that Van Sloun had previously been convicted in Holland for possessing images of children, for which he received a suspended one-month sentence.
The recent offences, however, involved a breach of a court-ordered ban on internet access for anything related to pornography, which he was supposed to adhere to strictly.
Despite this, police investigations in September 2011 uncovered a large collection of indecent photographs stored on his laptop and a memory stick, indicating a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed upon him.
Van Sloun’s legal team challenged his original sentence at the Court of Appeal in London.
They argued that the sentencing judge had failed to give adequate weight to his guilty pleas and had overlooked recommendations for a suspended sentence outlined in a pre-sentence report.
The appeal was heard by Mr Justice Wilkie, who, along with Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Mr Justice Leggatt, reviewed the case thoroughly.
In their judgment, the judges upheld the appeal, reducing Van Sloun’s prison term from 18 months to 16 months.
Furthermore, they suspended the sentence for a period of two years, effectively allowing him to walk free under certain conditions.
Mr Justice Wilkie emphasized that the original sentencing had erred by not properly considering the time elapsed between the commission of the offences and the sentencing, as well as the progress Van Sloun had made in addressing his issues during that period.
The court acknowledged that he had taken significant steps to reform and had developed behavioral strategies to prevent future offending.
As part of the new conditions, Van Sloun was ordered to undergo supervision and complete a specialized internet sexual offending treatment program.
Despite his release, the existing 10-year SOPO issued against him in 2010 remains in effect, continuing to restrict his online activities and monitor his behavior.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
