COLIN BOON FROM WESTBURY ADMITS TO CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Westbury, Colin Boon, a 61-year-old man, has admitted to possessing a large collection of illegal images and videos involving children and animals. The allegations against Boon, who resides on Bratton Road in Westbury, came to light after a series of investigations and a citizen’s arrest carried out by a paedophile hunter group. The case has raised serious concerns about the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the dark underbelly of online abuse.

Back in 2018, members of the Innocence Project North West, a vigilant group dedicated to combating online child exploitation, conducted a covert operation that ultimately led to Boon’s arrest. Posing as an underage girl, the group’s male founder engaged in an eight-day online exchange with Boon, during which sexually explicit messages were exchanged. Although Boon claimed he was aware that the person he was communicating with was a decoy account, the explicit nature of the messages alarmed the group and prompted further action.

Following the online interactions, the group organized a citizen’s arrest at Boon’s residence in Salisbury, which drew the attention of local law enforcement authorities. During the subsequent police raid, officers seized a total of 26 digital devices from Boon’s flat, including laptops, mobile phones, and SD cards. Digital forensic analysis revealed a horrifying collection of illegal images and videos stored on these devices, with evidence indicating that Boon had been accumulating such material since 2006.

The authorities charged Boon with possessing a staggering total of 125 images and films classified as Category A, which includes the most severe forms of child abuse, such as rape and torture. Additionally, he was found to possess 81 images in Category B, 191 in Category C, along with four prohibited images and 77 extreme pornographic videos depicting women engaging in sexual acts with animals. The collection was particularly disturbing because it included images of children as young as 12 months old, highlighting the heinous nature of his offenses.

In February 2021, Boon appeared before Swindon Crown Court to face these charges. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including possession of indecent images of children, prohibited images, and extreme pornography. During the proceedings, Boon explained that he was entering his pleas on the advice of his legal counsel. The court was informed that Boon’s digital collection was extensive, and forensic experts confirmed that he had been saving these images for over a decade.

Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Boon to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. The judge took into account Boon’s health condition, noting that he was awaiting a pacemaker operation and might not be able to complete a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program if incarcerated immediately. The judge emphasized the severity of such offenses, stating, “Anyone who downloads indecent images of children is fueling an abhorrent industry, which involves the physical and psychological abuse of young children often with lifelong consequences. That is why this kind of offending is serious.”

As part of his sentence, Boon was ordered to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities and is required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. He must also adhere to a sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his activities and movements. Furthermore, charges related to attempted sexual communication with a child, identified only as “Shannon,” will remain on his record, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his case.

This case underscores the persistent threat posed by individuals like Boon, who exploit the anonymity of the internet to indulge in heinous acts of abuse. The community and law enforcement agencies continue to work tirelessly to combat such crimes, but cases like this serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and preventative measures to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.