BENJAMIN SYMONS FROM WOOTTON BASSETT ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD RAPE IMAGE SCANDAL IN SWINDON

In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Benjamin Symons, a 33-year-old man from Wootton Bassett, who was found to have engaged in the creation and distribution of indecent images and videos depicting children. The case was brought to light after police received intelligence that led them to Symons' residence in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Upon executing a search warrant, law enforcement officers seized his computers and subsequently arrested Symons. During questioning, he admitted to possessing and sharing a significant number of illicit images, although he denied any sexual intent behind his actions. The police investigation uncovered that Symons had downloaded and stored a total of 54 indecent images and videos of children, with 14 classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse. Additionally, he had distributed six of these images to others online.

Further examination revealed that Symons had actively searched for material using terms like 'preteen hardcore' in search engines, suggesting a deliberate intent to find such content. During his second interview with authorities, Symons expressed remorse, stating he was disgusted with himself and had taken steps to address his problematic behavior. He explained that he had undertaken a course aimed at understanding and managing his issues.

Symons, who resides on Buxton Way, pleaded guilty to charges of making and distributing indecent images of children. His criminal record was previously limited to a conviction for drink driving, and he also held a caution for soliciting a prostitute. The court heard these details during the proceedings.

Swindon Crown Court, presided over by Judge Robert Pawson, considered the gravity of Symons' actions. The judge acknowledged the importance of education in understanding the harm caused by such offenses, referencing Symons' participation in a Lucy Faithfull Foundation course. The judge emphasized the moral and societal implications, stating, "When someone goes online to look for images of children being abused sexually, Mr. Symons, you may now have a better awareness of what happens somewhere on this planet. You have a child, Mr. Symons, you too were once a child. Somewhere, there is a child being forced to do that."

He further condemned the act of viewing and sharing such material, asserting that it fuels a market that perpetuates the abuse of children in the most vile and despicable ways. As a result, the court imposed a sentence of two years in prison, suspended for 24 months. Symons was also ordered to complete a 60-day program and a 20-day rehabilitation activity. Additionally, he was mandated to pay costs of £600, register as a sex offender for ten years, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his liberty.

In a related hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court, Symons had previously admitted to creating and sharing indecent images of children. He indicated a guilty plea to producing 54 such images, with 14 classified as Category A, created between March and September of the previous year. He also pleaded guilty to distributing six indecent images. Symons was granted bail but was ordered not to have unsupervised contact with children under 16 in private settings, pending sentencing at the Crown Court.