BERNARD ALLEMAND SENTENCED IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDECENT IMAGES

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Tunbridge Wells, Bernard Allemand, a 65-year-old local businessman, was formally sentenced at Southward Crown Court on February 2, 2012, for serious criminal offenses related to child exploitation and the distribution of indecent images of minors.

Allemand, who was born on July 2, 1946, and is known to reside in Tunbridge Wells, faced multiple charges stemming from an investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities. The charges included two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of child sex offenses, which are violations under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. For these charges, he received a sentence of two years in prison.

In addition, Allemand was found guilty of four counts of distributing indecent images of children. These images were of varying severity, with one classified as Level 5, indicating the most serious category of such material. The court sentenced him to a total of nine months for these offenses. Importantly, the sentences for the different charges are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the combined sentence in a single period of incarceration.

Beyond his prison sentence, Allemand was also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which will remain in effect for ten years. This order is designed to restrict his activities and monitor his behavior to prevent any future offenses. Furthermore, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the same duration, ensuring that authorities maintain oversight of his conduct and whereabouts.

The arrest of Bernard Allemand took place on December 8, 2011, in Charing Cross, following a targeted operation by officers from the Paedophile Unit. The operation was intelligence-led, indicating that law enforcement had gathered information suggesting his involvement in illegal activities. During the period from December 2 to December 8, 2011, Allemand engaged in online and text communications with an individual he believed to be another paedophile. During these exchanges, he expressed a disturbing desire to participate in the sexual abuse of the other person's children, specifically mentioning a seven-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.

In addition to these conversations, Allemand emailed four indecent images of children, one of which was classified as Level 5, the most severe category. The gravity of these images and his explicit communication highlight the serious nature of his offenses. He was formally charged on December 9, 2011, and appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. His guilty plea and subsequent sentencing underscore the severity of his crimes and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation.