DANIEL BAILEY FROM ST AUSTELL AVOIDS PRISON SENTENCE AFTER INDECENT IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY REVEAL

In 2016, Daniel Bailey, of Killyvarder Way, Bethel, St Austell, was found with over 10,000 indecent images of children and animals on his computer but avoided imprisonment. Bailey appeared at Truro Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child and two counts of possessing extreme prohibited pornographic images involving children or animals. Throughout the hearing, Bailey kept his head bowed and did not lift it once, indicating remorse.

The court was informed that during a police raid on Bailey’s home in July 2015, officers discovered between 10,000 and 15,000 images stored across four devices. The images included categories A, B, and C, with some videos, and were shared via peer-to-peer sharing software, although no specific charges related to this software were filed.

The images depicted children aged between five and seven, with one showing a girl within this age group looking distressed and fearful, as described by the court.

Sentencing Recorder Ignatius Hughes, QC, observed that Bailey remained heads bowed throughout the proceedings. He stated, “I have no doubt you have failed to look at me because you are ashamed and you will do well to remember how you are feeling right now. But the fact you are ashamed is no guarantee you won’t commit the same offence again.”

Recorder Hughes emphasized that sentencing Bailey to a short prison term would not facilitate his rehabilitation, suggesting he would emerge from prison "at least as damaged" as he was before. As a result, Bailey was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement and to be subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.