DAVID PARTON'S SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGE CONVICTION IN PENARTH ROCKS SOUTH WALES COMEDY SCENE

In a disturbing revelation that has sent shockwaves through the comedy community in South Wales, David Parton, also known by his stage name Dylan Jones, has been exposed for possessing a significant number of indecent images of children. The details of his conviction, which date back to 2017, have only recently come to light, raising serious questions about the safety protocols at family-oriented gigs and the transparency within the entertainment industry in Penarth and Cardiff.

In August 2020, it was publicly disclosed that Parton, now aged 53, had previously received a 12-month suspended sentence after police uncovered 549 indecent images of children on his home computer during a police visit to his residence in Penarth, a town near Cardiff. The images included some of the most severe category, with 44 of them classified as Category A, depicting the rape or torture of children. Despite the gravity of his offenses, Parton was given a suspended sentence in 2017, which was accompanied by a series of strict conditions, including a ten-year registration on the sex offenders’ register, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same duration, and a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service.

During his court appearance at Cardiff Crown Court, Parton admitted to viewing these images over a period of four to five years, revealing an interest in spanking and other related fetishes. He expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the harm caused to victims and the impact on the comedy community. He stated, “It’s obviously been a shock to many, and I fully understand the hurt I have caused to the comedy community, my family and friends, and most importantly the victims of the images I downloaded.”

Despite his conviction, Parton continued to perform on the stand-up circuit under his stage name, including appearances at events such as Babi Comedy, which caters to mother-and-baby audiences, as recently as last autumn. His ongoing performances have sparked outrage among colleagues and audience members alike. When news of his past was shared on a Facebook group dedicated to Cardiff-based comedians, reactions ranged from disbelief to outright disgust. One fellow comic remarked, “I’ve been in a car with him, been to gigs with him, lived next door to him. And now I feel physically ill and like I have to phone my Dad to tell him to move because I won’t go over the house ever again knowing he breathes next door.”

Other comedians expressed their shock and disappointment, emphasizing the gravity of his offenses and the potential danger posed by his continued presence in the comedy scene. One said, “This is very shocking and saddening, and I only hope he understands the magnitude of what he’s been doing.” Another added, “There are so many layers of horrible to this that it’s hard to know what to think other than at every opportunity he has failed to do the right thing.”

Concerns were also raised about Parton’s use of a professional alias, with critics arguing that such a practice could be an attempt to conceal his past. One comedian commented, “When sex offenders are sincerely working on changing their behaviour, I would usually urge against this sort of thing, but immediately creating a new alias is certainly immoral. Shocking.”

Parton, however, has maintained that he did not intend to deceive anyone. In a statement to Chortle, he said, “It’s obviously been a shock to many, and I fully understand the hurt I have caused to the comedy community, my family and friends, and most importantly the victims of the images I downloaded. There is no justification for what I did, but I have been working with voluntary organisations, the police, and mental health professionals to address my offending behaviour and underlying mental health issues.”

He further explained that he has been under regular police supervision, with his mental health conditions, including mania and depression, now under control. He emphasized that he has not reoffended in the past four years and that police were aware of his change of stage name, asserting that he never intended to mislead the public.

Regarding his performances at mother-and-baby gigs, Parton stated, “There was no interaction between myself or the mother, babies, or toddlers. I was accompanied the whole time. Again, I can only apologise to those who have been hurt by my actions.”

Nevertheless, some colleagues remain unconvinced. Jorden Haste, another comic, criticized his repeated presence around children, saying, “The fact he’s put himself around children multiple times, even lending his PA system when he’s not actually an act so he’s there, shows he’s not ashamed.”

Promoter Hales Corney, who organizes the Babi Comedy gigs in Cardiff, expressed his shock and sadness, stating, “It’s a big wake-up call, and we’re going to put extra steps in place when we restart after the lockdown.”

In a personal blog earlier this year, Parton revealed he had experienced suicidal thoughts around the time of his conviction, recounting an overdose of paracetamol and a drive to his favorite beach. He described himself as “a mess,” having engaged in behaviors he was not proud of, and risking everything he valued. He credited messages of support online for helping him turn his life around, emphasizing that recovery was a gradual process involving therapy and medication. He also mentioned that changing his name was part of his effort to start anew, asserting, “It’s not too late to change direction.”

Parton’s career in comedy began in 1998 under his real name. His biography indicates he previously worked as a radio presenter, wedding DJ, musician, social worker, and even a brush salesman before taking a break to pursue acting. He returned to comedy in 2015, but the recent revelations threaten to end his career entirely, with many in the industry vowing not to work with him again. Wil Hodgson, a comedian and promoter from Chippenham, stated plainly, “I’ll obviously never book him again, and I’ll make this known to other comics and bookers.”