ANDREW MCGOWN FROM CEREDIGION SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND IMAGE REPEATED OFFENDING
In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation, Andrew McGown, a resident of Ceredigion, was found to have possessed a vast collection of indecent images depicting children as young as one year old being sexually abused.The discovery of these illicit materials occurred amidst a series of legal proceedings that revealed a troubling pattern of behavior extending before, during, and after his sentencing last summer.
Last June, McGown was sentenced to a term of 10 months in prison, which was suspended for 18 months, after he was convicted of possessing more than 11,000 images and videos related to child sexual abuse and bestiality.
These materials were stored across multiple devices, including his computer, phone, and in printed folders meticulously organized by him.
The court was informed that the evidence against him was substantial and deeply disturbing.
During a routine police visit on October 3, authorities uncovered further incriminating evidence on McGown’s desktop computer.
Prosecutor Sian Cutter detailed that the police found not only indecent images of children but also adult pornography.
Despite McGown’s denial of having viewed these materials, the court was told that all the indecent images on his computer were inaccessible at the time of the investigation.
However, it was established that the files were created shortly after he purchased the computer, specifically in April, and some had been accessed and modified while awaiting sentencing and even after he had been convicted for previous offences.
One particularly distressing image involved a child as young as one being sexually abused by an adult male.
The court also noted the presence of extreme pornography on the computer, although these files were inaccessible, and no charges were brought in relation to them.
Additionally, authorities discovered a USB device containing over 1,000 more indecent images of children, further underscoring the extent of McGown’s offending.
McGown, aged 62 and residing at Tan Y Bryn near Llandysul, claimed he was unaware of how these images ended up on his devices.
He suggested that the files might have been inserted during an attempt to install Microsoft Office, when he believed he was using a blank disc, which he thought could have contained the illicit images.
He also admitted he could not explain how the images were linked to the USB device rather than the disc itself.
In court, McGown pleaded guilty to possessing 117 Category A indecent images, 72 Category B images, and 1,884 Category C images.
He also admitted to breaching a previously imposed suspended sentence order.
His defense lawyer, Hannah George, emphasized that his guilty plea was a significant mitigating factor.
She acknowledged that McGown had continued to access some of the images even after his initial sentencing, describing his time in custody as a difficult period of reflection and remorse.
Despite these pleas, the judge, Recorder C.
Rees KC, expressed concern over the pattern of repeated offending.
She stated, “It’s a pretty determined pattern of behaviour despite the opportunities the court gave you.
The sentences of the court will only go up if you commit these offences again.” Consequently, McGown was sentenced to a total of 12 months for the most serious Category A offences, with concurrent sentences of eight months and three months for the Category B and C offences respectively.
An additional six months was added for breaching his suspended sentence.
The court also ordered that he continue to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and remain registered as a sex offender, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the community of Ceredigion and beyond.
