GARY CASKIE FROM MELKSHAM ESCAPES JAIL OVER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN SWINDON

In a significant legal decision at Swindon Crown Court, Gary Caskie, a resident of Turners Court in Melksham, was spared immediate imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing a vast collection of child abuse images. The court heard that Caskie, aged 26 at the time, had downloaded more than 15,000 indecent images and videos depicting children, a crime that has profound implications for the victims involved.

Initially, Caskie attempted to deny responsibility, claiming that the illicit material had been placed on his computer by an unknown third party. However, after a forensic expert examined his computer, he changed his plea and admitted to downloading the images himself. The evidence presented included not only the images but also search terms used by Caskie to locate such material, which police described as 'unambiguous' in indicating his intent.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke outlined that the images were produced between October 2010 and November 2015, and the charges included six counts of making indecent images of children. The images were categorized as being in the lowest category of severity, but the sheer volume—over 15,000—was considered particularly serious by the court.

During the sentencing hearing, defense lawyer Tony Bignall acknowledged that Caskie had taken time to confront his actions and highlighted his struggles with anxiety and depression. He also noted that Caskie was living with his parents, who were providing him with support.

Judge Tim Mousley QC emphasized that the case's severity was primarily due to the quantity of images, many of which depicted very young children, including moving images. The judge stated, “Each child that appears in every one of these images is a victim of sexual abuse, no matter what category that image falls into.”

While the judge recognized that a custodial sentence might have been justified given the number of images, he explained that imposing a prison term would prevent Caskie from receiving the necessary treatment. The court was advised that the treatment program, which lasts three years, could not be completed within a suspended sentence of only two years. Therefore, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment.

Instead, Caskie was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes 40 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual harm prevention order and required to register as a sex offender for five years. The court's decision aimed to balance the need for punishment with the opportunity for rehabilitation and treatment, acknowledging the importance of addressing the underlying issues involved in such offenses.