BURNLEY SEX OFFENDER IAN SIMPSON ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE HORRIFIC ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY CASE
In a case that has shocked the community of Burnley, Ian Simpson, a man with a disturbing history, was spared immediate imprisonment after being found in possession of nearly 2,000 images and videos depicting sexual acts involving animals.The incident, which came to light in March 2017, involved Simpson, a 46-year-old known sex offender, who was convicted of similar offenses in the past.
During a hearing at Burnley Crown Court, Judge Beverley Lunt explained her decision not to send Simpson to prison, citing limitations in her sentencing powers.
She emphasized that a custodial sentence would not be appropriate given the circumstances, and that such a move would not facilitate the treatment and rehabilitation that Simpson requires.
Instead, she imposed a community order, which involves supervised probation and other measures aimed at monitoring his behavior.
It was revealed that Simpson had previously been convicted in 2008 for possessing indecent images of children.
As a consequence of that conviction, he was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for a period of ten years and was subject to regular visits from police officers involved in managing sex offenders.
These measures were intended to monitor his activities and prevent further offending.
The case took a significant turn in December 2015 when police officers visited Simpson’s residence, a longboat moored at Barden Lane marina in Burnley, as part of an investigation.
Officers had been seeking the vessel, which Simpson claimed he was living in, but upon arrival, they discovered that he was actually inside the boat, contrary to his assertion that he was at his mother’s address.
During the search, law enforcement officials uncovered various electronic devices, including a laptop, which contained the disturbing collection of images and videos.
Simpson claimed that he had been watching adult pornography that morning and insisted that there were no images involving children on his devices.
However, the police found a total of 1,874 extreme images, including 36 videos, most of which had been deleted but could still be recovered.
The investigation also revealed internet searches related to extreme content, and evidence suggested that Simpson had used cleaning software to attempt to hide his activities.
In court, Simpson admitted to possessing extreme pornographic images.
Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced him to a three-year community order, emphasizing that the severity of his offenses warranted a harsher penalty but that her hands were limited.
She stated, “The sort of sentences I can impose are far too low for this level of offending.
Then you will be released quickly and nobody would have worked with you.” Furthermore, Simpson was subjected to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and restrictions aimed at protecting the public from further harm.
