CHRISTOPHER SYMES FROM ROCHESTER ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Rochester, an IT specialist named Christopher Symes was recently in court facing serious allegations related to the possession of indecent images of children. Despite the gravity of the charges, Symes was allowed to walk free after the judge decided that imprisonment was not the appropriate course of action.

The presiding judge, Philip St John-Stevens, explained that the usual starting point for cases involving such offenses is a custodial sentence. However, after carefully considering Symes' specific circumstances, the judge concluded that a different approach would better serve justice and public safety. The judge stated, “The starting point for cases such as this is a term of custody. I have considered your particular circumstances and asked myself what is the appropriate sentence and, also, what would best protect the public?”

Ultimately, the court decided to impose a community order on Symes, who resides on High Street in Rochester. As part of this order, Symes was also mandated to complete a sex offender treatment program, which the judge deemed necessary to ensure future public protection. The decision was influenced by Symes’ guilty pleas, his display of remorse, and the fact that he had ceased downloading such images several months prior to his arrest.

The case originated from an investigation into a Croatian-based astronomy website that had been compromised and contaminated with child pornography. Authorities traced the activity back to Symes, leading to a police raid on his home. During the search, officers discovered a total of 75 indecent images and one indecent movie stored on his computer’s hard drive. The images ranged from the lowest level of severity to levels three and four, with the highest being level five.

Symes, aged 42 at the time of arrest in December 2008, admitted to nine counts of making indecent photographs of children, with the offenses spanning from November 2005 to July 2008. Prosecutor James Bilsland outlined the details of the case during proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court.

Symes’ defense lawyer, Sunil Rupasinha, explained that Symes had taken measures to hide the images by placing them into separate, non-accessible files to prevent his partner from discovering them. Symes, who left school without qualifications but later taught himself IT skills and worked in London, had experienced personal difficulties prior to his arrest, including a breakup of his relationship and subsequent depression. Mr. Rupasinha emphasized that Symes was a person of previously good character who was deeply remorseful for his actions and had been dismayed by his own conduct.

He also noted that, at the time of the offenses, Symes had not fully understood the impact on the victims depicted in the images but had since come to recognize that they were real children who had suffered abuse. The court’s decision reflected a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, aiming to protect the public while giving Symes an opportunity for reform.