NORWICH MAN DAVID FALGATE SENTENCED FOR NEARLY 30,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
In a case that has shocked the Norwich community, David Falgate, a 55-year-old resident of Paragon Place in Norwich, was found to possess an alarming collection of nearly 30,000 indecent images of children.The discovery was made during an investigation where Falgate was assisting police with an unrelated inquiry, providing access to his mobile phone.
During this process, authorities uncovered a disturbing cache of illicit material, which included explicit images of children, some of whom were infants.
Following the initial discovery, law enforcement officers conducted a comprehensive search of Falgate’s residence.
During this search, they seized various items, including multiple memory sticks, which contained further evidence of his illicit activities.
Prosecutor Rachel Cushing detailed that the images found on Falgate’s devices comprised a mixture of photographs and video files, with the total count reaching 29,250 indecent images of children.
The material was deeply disturbing, involving children of various ages, including babies.
When questioned by police, Falgate admitted to deleting some of the images himself, claiming that he considered them to be “evil.” His acknowledgment came during interviews where he expressed remorse for his actions.
Despite his admissions, the severity of the case led to Falgate being charged with four counts of making indecent images of children.
These charges were initially brought before a magistrates’ court, which subsequently committed him to Norwich Crown Court for sentencing.
During the court proceedings, Falgate’s legal representative, Rob New, confirmed that his client had made full admissions to the police and had taken steps to delete many of the images himself.
Mr.
New described Falgate’s situation as akin to a “cancer,” explaining that his initial interest in adult pornography had gradually escalated into viewing indecent images of children, which he now deeply regrets.
Falgate expressed a desire to seek help to address his issues and prevent future offending.
Judge Stephen Holt, presiding over the case, emphasized the importance of protecting the public from individuals like Falgate.
He acknowledged that Falgate had already spent some time on remand and was suffering from mental health issues.
To mitigate the risk of re-offending, the judge ordered Falgate to participate in an Internet sex offenders treatment programme.
Additionally, Falgate was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he reoffended within that period.
Furthermore, Falgate was subjected to a sex offender’s prevention order, which will monitor his internet usage and restrict access to certain online content.
He was also placed on the sex offender’s register for a period of ten years, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with such disturbing online habits and highlights the importance of rigorous legal measures to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
