IAN DOLBY FROM SLEAFORD JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN LINCOLN AND KESTEVEN
| Red Rose Database
Sleaford Rapist
In a case that has once again brought to light the disturbing issue of child exploitation, Ian Dolby, a former councillor from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, has found himself back in court facing serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. Dolby, aged 55, who previously served as a member of North Kesteven District Council and Sleaford Town Council, has a criminal history linked to the possession of child abuse material, which culminated in a significant prison sentence in August 2017.
Dolby’s initial conviction stemmed from police investigations that uncovered a large collection of illicit material stored on his home computer and associated devices. During a raid in December 2013, authorities discovered over 700 computer disks in Dolby’s residence on North Road, Sleaford. Among these, 45 disks contained explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, with some files totaling over 180 hours of footage. The material was downloaded over a period spanning from 2010 to 2013, highlighting a sustained pattern of offending.
At that time, the court was informed that the images and videos included some of the most heinous forms of child exploitation, with police describing Dolby’s interest as “rapacious.” The court heard that the material found was not only extensive but also deeply disturbing, with images of children being sexually abused in the most cruel and inhumane ways. The police investigation was initiated after an unrelated arrest of Dolby’s lodger, which led to the detailed search of Dolby’s property. The discovery of the illicit material resulted in Dolby’s resignation from his political positions in April 2014, citing “pressure of work commitments,” although the real reason was the police raid and subsequent charges.
In August 2017, Dolby pleaded guilty to 23 counts of making indecent images of children during his trial at Lincoln Crown Court. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, a decision underscored by the judge’s remarks condemning his actions and emphasizing the harm caused to victims. Judge Simon Hirst stated, “You have done everything you possibly could to avoid facing up to your wrong doing. This type of offending is not victimless in any way. Every still photograph and every frame of a film has the face of a child who has been sexually abused in the most cruel way imaginable. In behaving as you did, you perpetuated the market and distribution of such images and encouraged the making of more images.”
Following his release, Dolby was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order designed to restrict his access to internet-enabled devices and prevent further offending. However, recent developments have shown that Dolby has once again breached this order. On December 12 of the previous year, he appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to refusing to surrender a device capable of accessing the internet for inspection, an act that constitutes a violation of his court-imposed restrictions.
During this hearing, Dolby was fined £150, with additional costs of £85 and a surcharge of £32 to support victim services. The court’s decision reflects ongoing concerns about his compliance with legal restrictions and the potential risk he poses. The breach was initially identified when authorities requested access to his electronic devices, and Dolby’s refusal to cooperate prompted the legal proceedings.
Throughout the legal process, Dolby’s history of offending and his previous convictions were highlighted, illustrating a pattern of behavior that continues to threaten public safety. Despite having no prior convictions before the 2017 case and currently working as an accountant, his repeated violations underscore the importance of strict monitoring and enforcement of court orders related to sexual harm prevention. The case remains a stark reminder of the persistent dangers posed by individuals with a history of child exploitation, and the justice system’s ongoing efforts to prevent further harm in the community of Sleaford and beyond.
Dolby’s initial conviction stemmed from police investigations that uncovered a large collection of illicit material stored on his home computer and associated devices. During a raid in December 2013, authorities discovered over 700 computer disks in Dolby’s residence on North Road, Sleaford. Among these, 45 disks contained explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, with some files totaling over 180 hours of footage. The material was downloaded over a period spanning from 2010 to 2013, highlighting a sustained pattern of offending.
At that time, the court was informed that the images and videos included some of the most heinous forms of child exploitation, with police describing Dolby’s interest as “rapacious.” The court heard that the material found was not only extensive but also deeply disturbing, with images of children being sexually abused in the most cruel and inhumane ways. The police investigation was initiated after an unrelated arrest of Dolby’s lodger, which led to the detailed search of Dolby’s property. The discovery of the illicit material resulted in Dolby’s resignation from his political positions in April 2014, citing “pressure of work commitments,” although the real reason was the police raid and subsequent charges.
In August 2017, Dolby pleaded guilty to 23 counts of making indecent images of children during his trial at Lincoln Crown Court. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, a decision underscored by the judge’s remarks condemning his actions and emphasizing the harm caused to victims. Judge Simon Hirst stated, “You have done everything you possibly could to avoid facing up to your wrong doing. This type of offending is not victimless in any way. Every still photograph and every frame of a film has the face of a child who has been sexually abused in the most cruel way imaginable. In behaving as you did, you perpetuated the market and distribution of such images and encouraged the making of more images.”
Following his release, Dolby was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order designed to restrict his access to internet-enabled devices and prevent further offending. However, recent developments have shown that Dolby has once again breached this order. On December 12 of the previous year, he appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to refusing to surrender a device capable of accessing the internet for inspection, an act that constitutes a violation of his court-imposed restrictions.
During this hearing, Dolby was fined £150, with additional costs of £85 and a surcharge of £32 to support victim services. The court’s decision reflects ongoing concerns about his compliance with legal restrictions and the potential risk he poses. The breach was initially identified when authorities requested access to his electronic devices, and Dolby’s refusal to cooperate prompted the legal proceedings.
Throughout the legal process, Dolby’s history of offending and his previous convictions were highlighted, illustrating a pattern of behavior that continues to threaten public safety. Despite having no prior convictions before the 2017 case and currently working as an accountant, his repeated violations underscore the importance of strict monitoring and enforcement of court orders related to sexual harm prevention. The case remains a stark reminder of the persistent dangers posed by individuals with a history of child exploitation, and the justice system’s ongoing efforts to prevent further harm in the community of Sleaford and beyond.