DAVID MALLINDER OF DEAL FACES SERIOUS CHARGES AFTER SEXUAL ENCOUNTER AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY INCIDENT

In April 2007, a disturbing case emerged involving David Mallinder, a 60-year-old man from Union Road, Deal, who was brought before Canterbury Crown Court on charges related to the exploitation of a minor. The allegations detailed that Mallinder engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy and subsequently took explicit photographs of him, raising serious concerns about child safety and abuse.

According to court proceedings, Mallinder admitted to three counts of taking an indecent picture of a child, specifically on May 9 of the previous year. The court was informed that Mallinder had previously served as a teacher and had been involved with community organizations in Dover and Deal, which added a layer of complexity to the case given his background in education and community service.

The case revealed that the minor, who claimed to be 16, had been in contact with another man via the Internet. This online interaction led to a meeting arranged for May 8, 2006, during which the boy stayed at Mallinder’s residence in Deal for two nights. The court heard that the boy’s age was misrepresented, and he was not truthful about his actual age at the time of the meeting.

On the night of May 9, the situation took a troubling turn. The boy, who had been drinking alcohol, was at Mallinder’s house when, at approximately 10:10 pm, Mallinder took three photographs of him. Two of these images depicted the boy with his underpants on, while the third was a nude photograph. The images were taken while the boy was lying with his eyes closed, suggesting a level of consent or acquiescence at the time, but the circumstances raised serious questions about the legality and morality of the act.

Following the incident, the boy confided in the police, leading to a search of Mallinder’s residence. During the investigation, authorities seized a digital camera from the kitchen, which was believed to contain the photographs in question. The prosecution, led by Darren Weir, stated that Mallinder had pleaded guilty based on his interview, during which he claimed to have believed the boy was 16 and that he had been drinking and flirting with the boy earlier that day.

In his statement, Mallinder acknowledged engaging in sexual activity with the boy and consented to the photographs being taken. The court was informed that the defendant’s previous good character was a factor in the proceedings, and his legal representative, Esther Schutzer-Weissmann, requested an adjournment for reports, emphasizing his prior reputation.

Judge Adele Williams, presiding over the case, issued a stern warning that the adjournment for reports did not imply any leniency. She made it clear that the court was considering the possibility of an immediate custodial sentence, reflecting the gravity of the charges and the need for justice in this serious matter. Mallinder was granted bail and is scheduled for sentencing during the week beginning April 30, 2007, as the legal process continues to unfold.