DAVID WOODHEAD FROM DALTON AND HUDDERSFIELD SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND BESTIALITY IMAGES

In December 2013, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of severe criminal activity involving David Woodhead, a resident of Dalton, who was found to possess indecent images of children as well as extreme pornography depicting animals engaging in sexual acts. The investigation was initiated after police received information from an inmate, suggesting that Woodhead had been accessing such illicit material.

On October 18 of the previous year, law enforcement officers visited the Liberal Club located on Wakefield Road in the area of Moldgreen, Huddersfield, where Woodhead was residing at the time. During this visit, they confiscated his laptop computer for further examination. The investigation revealed that Woodhead had conducted searches using highly incriminating terms such as 'Lolita,' 'Pre-teen,' and 'Jail Bait,' indicating a disturbing interest in underage and exploitative content.

Initially, Woodhead denied any involvement, claiming that the images had been accessed by the inmate who had provided the tip-off. However, further inquiries established that the images had been accessed between August 16 and October 18, a period during which the inmate was already incarcerated. This discrepancy led Woodhead to eventually provide a list of individuals he alleged had accessed his computer, though he later pleaded guilty to the charges.

Representing Woodhead, lawyer Anastasis Tassou, stated that the conviction had resulted in the loss of his employment, which was a position of responsibility. Tassou emphasized that the charges rendered his client’s employment untenable and noted that Woodhead was currently receiving JobSeeker Allowance. He expressed his client’s willingness to comply with any community-based punishment imposed by the court.

At 34 years old, Woodhead faced multiple charges, including 11 counts of possessing indecent images and one count of possessing extreme pornography involving animals. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, which includes an activity requirement. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs of £100 and to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.

Judge Sally Cahill QC detailed the severity of the images involved, stating that Woodhead was responsible for viewing a total of 96 images at the lowest level, with additional images at higher levels of severity—four at level two, six at level three, seven at level four, and four at the most serious level five. The judge emphasized the gravity of such offenses, noting that the law generally mandates imprisonment for such crimes. She explained that while viewing these images causes immense harm to the victims—children who are exploited and suffer greatly—the primary goal of her sentencing was to protect the public from future offenses.

To achieve this, she ordered Woodhead to participate in a sex offender treatment program as part of his community order, underscoring the importance of rehabilitation and public safety in her decision.