ALAN JONES FROM ABERGAVENNY RECEIVES COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER CHILD INDECENT VIDEO CASE IN CARDIFF

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community of Abergavenny, Alan Jones, a 38-year-old resident of Sunny Bank, was brought before Cardiff Crown Court in April 2016 to face serious charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case, which involved police officers from the child internet team executing a search warrant at Jones's residence early in the morning on March 17 of that year.

During the search, law enforcement officials seized multiple electronic devices, including a Hewlett-Packard laptop, along with several memory sticks and memory cards. These items were subjected to forensic analysis, which uncovered a total of nine indecent videos involving minors. Among these, four were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe and explicit content, while the remaining five fell into Category C, which still depicted minors involved in sexual acts.

The court was informed that all the videos showed girls engaged in sexual activities, a revelation that underscores the gravity of the offense. Jones faced multiple charges, including two counts of making indecent images of a child, one count of possessing indecent images of a child, and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images. He pleaded guilty to these charges during an earlier hearing, demonstrating remorse and cooperation with authorities.

Defending Jones, solicitor Ruth Smith, emphasized his need for employment and psychological support, highlighting that he has no prior criminal record. The judge, Neil Bidder QC, addressed the court and the defendant directly, acknowledging Jones's cooperation and remorse. The judge remarked, “You have got into a habit here and you need to break the habit. Fortunately, you have been completely co-operative with the police and probation officers.”

Judge Bidder also pointed out the damaging influence such behavior has on society, stating, “Your behaviour encourages those awful people who make these images. You must realise that you are encouraging the abuse of children.”

As a result of the proceedings, Jones was sentenced to a three-year community order. This order includes a requirement for him to attend a specialized internet sex offenders group working programme, aimed at addressing his behaviour and preventing future offenses. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual harm prevention order for five years, which prohibits him from deliberately communicating with or living with female children under the age of 16. Jones will also be registered on the sex offenders register for five years and is required to pay prosecution costs of £345 along with a victim surcharge of £60.

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of judicial measures to prevent reoffending and protect vulnerable minors in communities like Abergavenny and Cardiff.