WILLIAM JOYNES FROM KIPPAX SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN LEEDS

In August 2021, William Joynes, a man with ties to Kippax, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving the possession of highly disturbing and illegal images. The case was heard at Leeds Crown Court, where the presiding judge, Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC, delivered a stern warning to the 59-year-old defendant, emphasizing the gravity of his actions and the potential consequences he faced.

Joynes, also known as Tony Joynes, initially attempted to justify the presence of the illicit files on his electronic devices by claiming they had been downloaded accidentally. Among the materials recovered from his home on Valley Road, Kippax, were a video depicting child abuse, videos of sexual acts involving animals, and numerous other images and animations of a disturbing nature. The police investigation was initiated after Google alerted authorities to suspicious activity linked to email addresses associated with Joynes, prompting a search of his residence.

During the search, law enforcement officers seized multiple devices, including an iPhone, an e-reader, a desktop computer, and a hard drive. The forensic analysis revealed the presence of a Category A video, which is classified as the most severe form of child abuse material. Additionally, investigators uncovered 12 images categorized as Category C, eight videos depicting extreme pornography involving animals, and 42 computer-generated animated videos portraying children being abused.

In police interviews, Joynes admitted to using pornography but denied any knowledge of the specific illegal images stored on his devices. Despite his claims, the evidence was overwhelming, and he ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images, possession of extreme pornography, and possession of prohibited images.

Judge Iqbal addressed Joynes directly, expressing his disappointment and warning him about the impact of his actions. He stated, “The facts are depressingly familiar to the court. People like you who have otherwise led an unblemished life find it difficult to understand the damage you cause to children. If it were not for individuals like you who create a market for this type of material, there would be no need for children to be abused and fuel the market you create. It’s something you need to recognize. I’m not satisfied you fully understand this.”

In sentencing, Joynes received an eight-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 50 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior. Furthermore, he was required to register as a sex offender for five years and was subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), restricting his internet access and monitoring his online activity to prevent further offenses.