DANIEL POWELL OF STAFFORD SENTENCED TO OVER THREE YEARS FOR POSSESSING OVER 8,000 INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN
| Red Rose Database
Stafford Child Sexual Abuser
In April 2016, Stafford resident Daniel Powell was sentenced to more than three years in prison after being found with over 8,000 indecent images of children. The court heard that nearly 1,000 of these images were classified as the most severe category.
Five years prior, in December 2008, Powell, then 21, had received a suspended sentence after he created an internet site called Boysworld, which displayed over 2,000 indecent images of boys. At that time, he was issued an indefinite sex offender prevention order that prohibited him from using any device capable of internet access.
In April 2013, Detective Constable Wendy Anderson visited Powell’s Penkvale Road home to discuss his compliance with the order and to conduct a search but found the living space too untidy to proceed. She returned in April 2014, focusing on the possibility of him obtaining internet-connected TV recording devices like a Tivo box; again, the room's condition prevented a search.
However, a subsequent visit two months later resulted in a search where police uncovered a laptop, memory sticks, a portable hard drive, and an iPod. Forensic examination revealed these devices contained thousands of indecent images, including nearly 20 videos dating back to 2011. The images included both pre- and post-pubescent children, with the youngest being six years old, and some images had been deleted and recovered, indicating concealment efforts.
Prosecutor Simon Hunka described the disturbing nature of the images, noting that “The children were pre and post pubescent and the youngest was six. The last image was dated two days before the search. Some images had been deleted and had to be recovered; there was evidence of concealment.” He also stated, “He admitted being sexually attracted to children and found the images arousing.”
Stephen Rudge, defending, acknowledged Powell’s social difficulties, stating, “He said he committed the offences when he was in low mood, during a difficult period of time. He went back to the images for sexual gratification; it improved his mood. In so doing it he has committed a gross offence.” Rudge further mentioned that Powell had admitted his guilt and had previously progressed from voluntary shop work to full-time employment at the Argos distribution centre, although he has since left that job.
Judge Jonathan Gosling sentenced Powell to a prison term of three years and four months. He also issued a sexual harm prevention order and disqualified Powell from working with children “in any capacity.” In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the offense, stating, “You have fuelled the demand for images of young children being sexually abused for your pleasure. They suffer psychologically for the rest of their lives. They are not just pictures, they are children being abused in a dreadful way.”
Five years prior, in December 2008, Powell, then 21, had received a suspended sentence after he created an internet site called Boysworld, which displayed over 2,000 indecent images of boys. At that time, he was issued an indefinite sex offender prevention order that prohibited him from using any device capable of internet access.
In April 2013, Detective Constable Wendy Anderson visited Powell’s Penkvale Road home to discuss his compliance with the order and to conduct a search but found the living space too untidy to proceed. She returned in April 2014, focusing on the possibility of him obtaining internet-connected TV recording devices like a Tivo box; again, the room's condition prevented a search.
However, a subsequent visit two months later resulted in a search where police uncovered a laptop, memory sticks, a portable hard drive, and an iPod. Forensic examination revealed these devices contained thousands of indecent images, including nearly 20 videos dating back to 2011. The images included both pre- and post-pubescent children, with the youngest being six years old, and some images had been deleted and recovered, indicating concealment efforts.
Prosecutor Simon Hunka described the disturbing nature of the images, noting that “The children were pre and post pubescent and the youngest was six. The last image was dated two days before the search. Some images had been deleted and had to be recovered; there was evidence of concealment.” He also stated, “He admitted being sexually attracted to children and found the images arousing.”
Stephen Rudge, defending, acknowledged Powell’s social difficulties, stating, “He said he committed the offences when he was in low mood, during a difficult period of time. He went back to the images for sexual gratification; it improved his mood. In so doing it he has committed a gross offence.” Rudge further mentioned that Powell had admitted his guilt and had previously progressed from voluntary shop work to full-time employment at the Argos distribution centre, although he has since left that job.
Judge Jonathan Gosling sentenced Powell to a prison term of three years and four months. He also issued a sexual harm prevention order and disqualified Powell from working with children “in any capacity.” In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the offense, stating, “You have fuelled the demand for images of young children being sexually abused for your pleasure. They suffer psychologically for the rest of their lives. They are not just pictures, they are children being abused in a dreadful way.”