RAMSATE PAEDOPHILE CHRISTOPHER PARISH AVOIDS JAIL SENTENCE IN CANTERBURY

In May 2021, a Ramsgate man named Christopher Parish avoided imprisonment despite possessing disturbing child abuse videos. Parish, 34, was found with 266 Category A images—the most severe classification—after police raided his home in Coleman Crescent. His IP address was traced back to his residence following detection by an international surveillance agency that monitored suspicious online activity.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Judge Rupert Lowe described Parish’s collection of images, which included content depicting torture, as “the most disgusting activity.” He stated, “You form part of a market which people feed when they decide [to do these acts]. It is the most disgusting activity and people who do what you do encourage it.”

During the hearing on Tuesday, Parish interrupted Judge Lowe twice, prompting the judge to comment to his lawyer, “Your client has a lot to say for himself, doesn’t he.”

The police executed a raid on Parish’s home in June 2019, seizing his laptop. Despite initially denying involvement, Parish, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images prior to the trial.

Prosecutors revealed that the images collection also included 107 Category B and 66 Category C images, with a significant number being videos. Nicholas Jones, the prosecutor, explained, “Some of the material was deleted and inaccessible, but some remained on the computer. There was also evidence of web searches for incest and bestiality.”

Considering that Parish’s first offence and with probation services willing to assist, Judge Lowe decided against a custodial sentence, instead opting to impose a community order. He warned, “If I see you again, you will find it’s a very different result.”

The court ordered Parish to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 35 rehabilitation sessions, undertake the Horizon accredited programme, and adhere to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order along with notification requirements.