ALAN CANT FROM OTLEY CAUGHT WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN IPSWICH

In a serious case brought before Ipswich Crown Court, Alan Cant, a 51-year-old resident of Church Road in Otley, faced multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior that spanned several years, involving the viewing and downloading of hundreds, possibly thousands, of illicit images.

During the hearing, which took place in December 2018 and was adjourned for a detailed pre-sentence report by the probation service, Judge Emma Peters acknowledged the severity of the offences. Cant admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of possessing extreme pornographic material, and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child. The court was informed that Cant had no prior convictions, but the nature of his crimes was deeply troubling.

Earlier in the proceedings, Cant, who was unrepresented by legal counsel at the time, explained to the court that he had been suffering from depression. This personal detail was considered as part of the case, which involved a significant number of illicit images, indicating a long-standing pattern of offending.

In January 2019, the court handed down a sentence that reflected the gravity of the offences. Cant was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but this was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a 50-day rehabilitation activity program aimed at addressing his behavior.

Furthermore, Cant was placed under a sexual harm prevention order that will remain in effect for ten years. This order is designed to restrict his access to certain online content and prevent any further harm. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, especially when such offenses involve individuals from local communities like Otley.