JAIL SENTENCE FOR GRAHAM PULLEN IN HORSHAM AFTER DISCOVERY OF DISTURBING INDECENT IMAGES

In April 2013, a man from Horsham was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being found in possession of highly disturbing indecent images, including severe child abuse material. Graham Pullen, aged 43 and residing on Guildford Road, Horsham, formerly of Pulborough, pleaded guilty to multiple charges: ten counts of downloading indecent images, one charge of possessing extreme pornography, and one of possessing prohibited images.

During the sentencing hearing at Lewes Crown Court, it was revealed that Pullen had previously served a year in prison in 2004 for similar offences, and was subject to a ten-year monitoring order. The new charges came to light following a routine visit by public protection officers to his home in May of the previous year. When officers inquired about his computer, Pullen admitted to possessing both adult and child pornography. They confiscated the computer along with 50 data CDs.

Most of the images found involved children aged between 11 and 14, but one video depicted a child estimated to be between 18 months and two years old. Pullen explained to police that he had avoided illegal material until relationship issues arose in January 2012. His legal representative, Mr. Leete, stated: “He was fully co-operative – he led police to the computer and said there were obscene and pornographic images on it.”

He further mentioned that Pullen had accessed these images through free websites, rather than paying for them, thus not funding production.

Judge Guy Anthony addressed Pullen during sentencing, describing some of the images as ‘absolutely horrific’. He remarked, “There’s a significant, indeed a large number of Level Four and Five images [the most serious kind], but also, in particular, a Level Three image that although it may be lower level is one of the most disturbing images I’ve had the displeasure of viewing.” The judge detailed that the image involved a young child, approximately three or four years old, in clear distress.

Judge Anthony added, “It’s not you who was responsible for putting those children through that sort of ordeal, but it’s people like you, who view them, that create the market.”

As part of his sentence, Pullen will be subjected to a lifelong sex offences prevention order upon release and will be required to register his home address with the police.