ADAM CLEMENTS SENTENCED IN SOUTHWICK FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDECENT IMAGES

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Southwick, Adam Clements, a 26-year-old man residing on Butts Road, was brought before Lewes Crown Court to face serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The proceedings took place on a Monday, during which Clements admitted to multiple offences, leading to a substantial prison sentence.

According to court records, Clements pleaded guilty to a total of 12 offences. These included seven counts of distributing indecent images and videos of children, as well as five counts of creating such images. The offences were committed while he was on bail, under suspicion of other related crimes, and these additional charges were considered during sentencing. The court heard that Clements had been under investigation since December 2013, when Sussex Police’s Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) initiated an intelligence-led inquiry into his activities. The charges were subsequently authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Sergeant Martin Harmer provided a statement emphasizing the gravity of the case. He revealed that Clements had denied his involvement throughout the investigation until the day of his court appearance, where he finally pleaded guilty. The police uncovered that Clements possessed over 2,000 indecent images of children on his computer, with more than 100 of these images being distributed. The images depicted children as young as four years old, with some classified in the most severe category of child exploitation material. Detective Sergeant Harmer stressed the importance of understanding that every image involved the abuse of a child, and that none of the offences involved contact with the victims, as all material was internet-based.

As part of his sentencing, Clements was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which imposes strict restrictions on his access to computers and online content. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The court’s decision underscores the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the distribution of child exploitation material.

Following his arrest in December 2013, Clements was detained and subsequently charged, with the investigation highlighting the extensive efforts by law enforcement to combat online child abuse. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing work of police agencies to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.