DARREN BOND SHOCKING CHILD PORN CASE IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE AND BRISTOL

In September 2020, a disturbing case involving Darren Bond, a former police officer from Weston-super-Mare, came to light as he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for serious offences related to child exploitation and online indecency.

Bond, aged 46, who previously served as a police officer for 16 years including a period with the Metropolitan Police, was dismissed from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary earlier in the month after admitting to multiple charges of possessing, creating, and sharing indecent images of children. His criminal activities spanned over a year, ending in November 2017, and were uncovered following a detailed investigation by the National Crime Agency.

According to court reports, the police had been alerted to Bond’s illegal internet activity when they received information about his IP address, which was linked to child abuse material. The authorities discovered that Bond had been posting indecent images on various social media platforms, initially using a Kik account. When that account was shut down by American authorities, he transitioned to another account on the Dark Web, a part of the internet known for its anonymity and often used for illicit activities.

Law enforcement officials found that Bond had taken measures to conceal his online identity, including installing software to encrypt and disguise his IP address. When police executed a search warrant at his residence in Weston-super-Mare, they encountered significant resistance due to the presence of electronic devices equipped with programs designed to hide his online activity. Experts later confirmed that Bond had installed encrypted software to access specialized websites, including Russian sites containing indecent images.

During the search, investigators uncovered a collection of indecent images of children, with some images too numerous to examine fully—around 500 in total. The evidence also revealed that Bond had visited a Russian website hosting such material. The images found ranged from Category C, the least severe, to more serious content, with some classified as Category A, the most severe. Bond’s online activity was traced back to a period ending in November 2017, when he was arrested.

Bond’s own account to police was that his offending was triggered by personal turmoil, including a marriage breakdown and other life stressors that left him feeling isolated. He submitted a lengthy 250-page statement claiming that his actions were driven by a vigilante-like desire. However, the court was quick to dismiss this explanation, with Judge Ian Lawrie QC describing Bond’s account as a “lavish explanation” that did not withstand scrutiny. The judge pointed out that one of the young victims in the videos was heard to say, “It hurts,” highlighting the brutality of the abuse.

Prosecutor Ray Tully emphasized that Bond had been posting indecent material on social media and on the Dark Web, and that he had installed software to hide his activities. The court heard that Bond’s offending was not only about possession but also involved making and distributing images. His actions, the prosecutor argued, demonstrated a disturbing pattern of behavior that had serious implications for public trust.

During the hearing, Bond’s defense attorney, Michael Hall, minimized the severity of the case, stating that the number of images involved was relatively small—39 images, with only nine being distributed. He argued that Bond had made significant progress since admitting guilt in August 2020 and suggested that his risk of reoffending was low. Hall also highlighted Bond’s remorse and the social consequences he had faced, including ostracism and public ridicule.

However, Judge Lawrie was critical of Bond’s continued denial of the severity of his actions. The judge noted that Bond had only pleaded guilty just before his trial, and that his deception and attempts to conceal his activities indicated a profound lack of remorse. The judge also condemned Bond’s misuse of his police knowledge to evade detection, emphasizing that as a police officer, he should have understood the gravity of his misconduct.

In sentencing, the judge ordered Bond to be registered as a sex offender for ten years, with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his internet use for the same period. Bond was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £120. Additionally, he was placed on the barred list of the National College of Policing, preventing him from working in law enforcement roles in the future.

Earlier in August 2020, Bond had pleaded guilty to eight offences related to indecent images of children, including possession, making, and distribution. His arrest followed information from another law enforcement agency, and some of the images involved children as young as eight years old being subjected to sexual abuse. Bond’s suspension from duty had begun in November 2017, and he was scheduled for sentencing on September 21 at Gloucester Crown Court.

Throughout the proceedings, the court highlighted the breach of public trust and the serious nature of Bond’s offences, which involved exploiting his position as a police officer to conceal his activities. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of integrity within law enforcement and the devastating impact of online child exploitation.