DAVID BLANNIN FROM ABERGAVENNY JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the community of Abergavenny, David Blannin, a 46-year-old care worker, was sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting to multiple charges related to child pornography. The incident came to light when Blannin, employed at a residential care facility in Abergavenny, accessed inappropriate websites on a computer belonging to one of the vulnerable adults under his care.

During the court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall described the images found on Blannin’s computer as “vile,” emphasizing the disturbing nature of the material. The court heard that Blannin was responsible for creating 17 indecent images of children, possessing two such images, and attempting to produce more. The judge condemned the images as depicting children of an “exceptionally tender age being abused,” highlighting the severity of the offense.

Judge Durham Hall pointed out that Blannin had exploited his position of trust and used a computer within the residential home to access these illicit materials. He also noted that Blannin employed a sophisticated search engine to find the content, which indicated a level of premeditation and an abuse of trust. The judge further stated, “There was sophistication and an abuse of trust. Your actions with others like you fuel the demand which leads to abuse.”

As part of his sentence, the judge ordered that upon release, Blannin must register as a sex offender for a period of seven years. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, especially given the vulnerable populations involved.

Prosecutor David Webster provided additional details, revealing that in August, Blannin was working as a carer at a residential unit in Abergavenny, where he was responsible for two vulnerable adult men. Despite coming highly recommended, concerns arose when a team manager checked the computer on November 12 and discovered that Blannin had accessed websites with titles such as “Family Incest.” The manager was confident that neither of the adults under his care had accessed these sites themselves.

Following this discovery, Blannin was arrested on November 26, and a computer at his home was seized for investigation. During questioning, Blannin admitted that he had accessed the sites not for images but for “erotic stories.” However, authorities found a total of 65 indecent images involving boys and girls on his computer. When asked about his motives, Blannin claimed he had no sexual interest in children but was driven by curiosity.

Despite the restrictions placed on him, including bail conditions that prohibited him from working with children or vulnerable adults, Blannin breached these conditions and subsequently worked in a unit with children for a period. His defense lawyer, Tom Crowther, argued that there was no distribution of the images and that Blannin had not shared them with others. He also highlighted that Blannin was a diligent worker and maintained strong family support.

This case has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the importance of monitoring those in caregiving roles, especially in communities like Abergavenny where vulnerable individuals depend heavily on the trustworthiness of their caregivers.