TORQUAY MAN CLIVE GARD FACES JAIL OVER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES DISCOVERY

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Torquay, a 55-year-old man named Clive Gard is facing the possibility of imprisonment after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images of children stored on his personal computer. The incident, which first came to light in June 2014, led to Gard's arrest when police officers executed a search warrant at his residence and seized multiple computers containing illicit material.

Following his initial arrest, Gard was released on police bail, and as a consequence of the investigation, he left his marital home. The case took a further troubling turn when, in July 2015, law enforcement officials revisited Gard’s new address and discovered that he had continued to download and possess additional indecent images of children, despite being under bail conditions. This pattern of behavior has raised serious concerns about his ongoing conduct.

During the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, Gard admitted to 14 counts related to the possession and creation of indecent and prohibited images of children. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to two counts involving the possession of extreme pornography. The evidence presented indicated that some of the images found were among the most severe category, depicting children being subjected to sexual assault by adults, which underscores the gravity of the offense.

Judge Graham Cottle expressed his intention to order a second pre-sentence report, emphasizing the importance of understanding Gard’s continued offending behavior while on bail. The judge noted with concern that Gard appeared to have persisted in his illicit activities even after his initial arrest and the seizure of his computers. He questioned why Gard would resume such conduct so soon after being detained, suggesting a troubling pattern of disregard for legal restrictions.

Clive Gard, whose address is listed as Abbey Road in Torquay, remains on conditional bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 26. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in addressing crimes involving child exploitation images, and it underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation in such sensitive matters.