DAMIAN GARFORD'S SHAMEFUL CRIMES IN SNEINTON: CHILD ABUSE IMAGES LEAD TO JAIL TIME
| Red Rose Database
Sneinton Rapist
In June 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving Damien Garford, a resident of Lord Nelson Street in Sneinton, who was found guilty of possessing and searching for vile images of child abuse. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the crimes and the breach of previous court orders.
Garford, a convicted paedophile, had a troubling history of engaging in illegal activities related to child exploitation. His criminal record includes a prior conviction for downloading images depicting children being subjected to sexual abuse, which resulted in a community order handed down by Oxford Crown Court on June 16, 2010. As part of his sentence, Garford was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, a legal measure designed to protect the public from individuals deemed a risk. This order mandated that public protection officers be granted unrestricted access to inspect any electronic devices he owned or used that could connect to the internet.
Despite these restrictions, Garford deliberately concealed a mobile phone from authorities. Evidence later revealed that he accessed this device on at least four separate occasions, breaching the terms of his order. Instead of using a laptop, which was permitted under the order, he relied on his hidden phone to continue his illicit activities. The police became aware of his misconduct when they executed a search warrant, prompted by suspicions that he had viewed indecent images of children.
During the court proceedings, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, emphasized the gravity of Garford’s actions. He stated, “This was not merely a technical breach of failing to notify the authorities about device usage. This was a device you were actively using to search for indecent images of children and kept hidden from the police.”
Further investigation uncovered that Garford, aged 43, was using pseudonyms online to conceal his identity while searching for illegal content. The police found that he had downloaded a total of 75 Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, involving penetrative abuse. Additionally, he possessed 18 Category B images and 280 Category C images, the least serious but still illegal.
Garford’s criminal behavior was not an isolated incident. In 2015, he had previously breached the same sexual harm order by failing to disclose to authorities that he was using two mobile phones. This pattern of non-compliance underscored his ongoing risk to the community.
In court, Garford pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including breaching the sexual harm prevention order, failing to notify authorities about his device usage, and possessing indecent images of children across all three categories. The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison. Additionally, he was placed under a new sexual harm prevention order for ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.
Judge Dickinson addressed Garford directly in the courtroom, highlighting the disturbing nature of his crimes. “The 75 images of children in Category A involve the most heinous acts, including penetrative abuse,” he explained. “One example cited in a statement is the oral rape of a child aged seven or eight years.”
Garford’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals who violate court orders and exploit vulnerable children through digital means. His actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also reinforced the importance of vigilant enforcement of protective measures designed to prevent such heinous crimes.
Garford, a convicted paedophile, had a troubling history of engaging in illegal activities related to child exploitation. His criminal record includes a prior conviction for downloading images depicting children being subjected to sexual abuse, which resulted in a community order handed down by Oxford Crown Court on June 16, 2010. As part of his sentence, Garford was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, a legal measure designed to protect the public from individuals deemed a risk. This order mandated that public protection officers be granted unrestricted access to inspect any electronic devices he owned or used that could connect to the internet.
Despite these restrictions, Garford deliberately concealed a mobile phone from authorities. Evidence later revealed that he accessed this device on at least four separate occasions, breaching the terms of his order. Instead of using a laptop, which was permitted under the order, he relied on his hidden phone to continue his illicit activities. The police became aware of his misconduct when they executed a search warrant, prompted by suspicions that he had viewed indecent images of children.
During the court proceedings, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, emphasized the gravity of Garford’s actions. He stated, “This was not merely a technical breach of failing to notify the authorities about device usage. This was a device you were actively using to search for indecent images of children and kept hidden from the police.”
Further investigation uncovered that Garford, aged 43, was using pseudonyms online to conceal his identity while searching for illegal content. The police found that he had downloaded a total of 75 Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, involving penetrative abuse. Additionally, he possessed 18 Category B images and 280 Category C images, the least serious but still illegal.
Garford’s criminal behavior was not an isolated incident. In 2015, he had previously breached the same sexual harm order by failing to disclose to authorities that he was using two mobile phones. This pattern of non-compliance underscored his ongoing risk to the community.
In court, Garford pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including breaching the sexual harm prevention order, failing to notify authorities about his device usage, and possessing indecent images of children across all three categories. The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison. Additionally, he was placed under a new sexual harm prevention order for ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.
Judge Dickinson addressed Garford directly in the courtroom, highlighting the disturbing nature of his crimes. “The 75 images of children in Category A involve the most heinous acts, including penetrative abuse,” he explained. “One example cited in a statement is the oral rape of a child aged seven or eight years.”
Garford’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals who violate court orders and exploit vulnerable children through digital means. His actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also reinforced the importance of vigilant enforcement of protective measures designed to prevent such heinous crimes.