ANTHONY GOULD FROM SOUTHEND AND WESTCLIFF ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Southend and Westcliff, Anthony Gould, aged 38, was found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, yet he narrowly avoided a prison sentence. The incident came to light after staff members at Rogue Asylum, a well-known internet café located on Southchurch Road in Southend, became suspicious of Gould's online activity.

On January 12 of the previous year, Gould was apprehended outside the premises following a police investigation prompted by the café staff's concerns. During his arrest, Gould made a startling confession to officers, stating, "I have been on a couple of sites, but it was by accident." He further admitted to the police, "I am guilty, I am guilty. I have been downloading women and others."

Subsequent searches of Gould's residence in Station Road, Westcliff, yielded significant evidence. Police seized his computer equipment and discovered nearly 4,000 images depicting children being subjected to abuse. The severity of the case was underscored by the fact that Gould had also printed and laminated three explicit images of child pornography, which he kept as physical copies.

Gould later pleaded guilty to 19 counts of possessing indecent images of children and three counts of making indecent images. During police interviews, he claimed that his online searches were part of research efforts and insisted he intended to hand over his findings to authorities, suggesting a possible attempt at cooperation.

At Basildon Crown Court, Judge Christopher Mitchell delivered his verdict and sentencing. Recognizing the gravity of the offenses but also considering Gould's circumstances, the judge opted for a community-based punishment rather than imprisonment. Gould was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes mandatory participation in the Thames Valley Sexual Offenders' Programme.

Judge Mitchell addressed Gould directly, stating, "It may seem to a bystander that this is a very lenient sentence that I am passing, but it is not. I have considered whether you pose a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public and I have come to the conclusion that you do not. But there is a slightly worrying tendency that your interest in simply looking at sexual pictures of children, and some of the children are very very young, might turn into something more specific and concrete. That is why I think the most appropriate course is to pass a community sentence."

In addition to the community order, Gould was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and was prohibited from accessing the internet or being alone with any child under the age of 16 for the next five years. These measures aim to mitigate any potential risk and ensure public safety while addressing the offender's behavior.