GRAHAM KENRICK SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

A man has lost his job and his wife after being found in possession of more than 30,000 indecent images of children. Graham Kenrick, 65, from Brookwood Avenue, Eastleigh, had been searching for such images for over ten years, despite knowing it was wrong, Southampton Crown Court was told.

When police seized his hard drive and computer towers in June 2017, they discovered videos and images depicting abuse of children as young as two months old, the court heard. Kenrick was found with 879 Category A still images and 18 films; 692 Category B still images and one film; and approximately 30,000 Category C still images along with four videos. Authorities also uncovered 15 additional films featuring women involved in sexual activities with dogs or horses, as well as a film showing girls as young as five being raped.

It was revealed that Kenrick had a history of self-harm. Defence lawyer Richard Tutt explained, “Kenrick was getting sexual gratification from self-harming himself, not from the material itself.” The court heard that Kenrick had been employed for 15 years at a charity aiding disabled people in making furniture. Following his arrest, he lost his job, and his wife left him after 31 years of marriage.

In mitigation, Mr. Tutt stated that Kenrick did not view all the material and emphasized his previous good character. He noted that Kenrick is currently on medication after being diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. “He felt some relief when he was arrested because he had to stop, and since then he has made efforts to seek help,” Tutt added. “He cannot change what he did, and he is appalled by it. He has already suffered significant consequences and lost a great deal.”

Tutt also mentioned that Kenrick was remorseful, willing to cooperate with authorities, and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, despite downloading the material knowing it was wrong. He assessed the risk of further offending as low.

Judge Peter Henry sentenced Kenrick to 12 months in custody. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, lasting ten years. Kenrick had previously admitted to possessing indecent images, a prohibited image, and an extreme pornographic image.