DARREN PONTING IN COURT IN SWINDON OVER INDECENT IMAGES CASE

In August 2017, Darren Ponting appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court following his guilty plea to possession of indecent images involving children and animals. The court was informed that Ponting, 40, of Fullers Avenue, Cricklade, had been investigated in October 2016 for an unrelated matter, which resulted in no further action. During a subsequent police search, authorities examined two mobile phones and a memory card and uncovered images classified as being in the most extreme category. These included one image showing a man, a woman, and a girl believed to be between five and eight years old, and another featuring a man and a girl dressed in a school uniform, estimated to be between 12 and 14 years old. Crown prosecutor Pauline Lambert stated, “The images were discovered during a search conducted following an investigation into an unrelated matter.” His defense lawyer, Sambreen Arif, explained that it was believed the images had been downloaded alongside other legally obtained images. Magistrates ordered a presentence report from the probation service and released Ponting on conditional bail, stipulating that he must not have any direct contact with children under 18. Additionally, he is subject to a sexual offences notification order. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 18 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.