JAMES THOMPSON SENTENCED IN DORKING FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Dorking, James Thompson, a 53-year-old resident of Reigate Road, was formally sentenced to a total of nine years and nine months behind bars. The sentencing followed his guilty plea to a series of grave charges involving the sexual abuse of minors and the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

The criminal case against Thompson was initiated after a disturbing report from the father of one of the victims. The father informed police that his daughter had been subjected to sexual assault by Thompson in July 2018, prompting a thorough investigation by law enforcement authorities. As the investigation unfolded, authorities identified two additional victims, expanding the scope of the case and underscoring the severity of Thompson’s actions.

During the investigation, police executed multiple search warrants and seized over 30 electronic devices from Thompson’s residence, including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. These devices were subjected to detailed forensic analysis, which uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images. It was revealed that Thompson had downloaded more than 670 images depicting children in sexual contexts, a discovery that significantly contributed to the charges brought against him.

The charges laid out in court were extensive and included a variety of sexual offences involving minors under the age of 13. These included two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, as well as three counts of inciting or causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity without penetration. Further charges involved inciting or causing a female child under 13 to participate in sexual acts that involved penetration, along with two counts of encouraging a child under 13 to view sexual images.

Thompson was also charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, and with making indecent photographs of children across different categories—125 images in Category A, 163 in Category B, and 168 in Category C. Additionally, he possessed a prohibited collection of 150 indecent images of children, along with two images depicting extreme pornography involving acts with animals, which are considered particularly heinous.

The court also found Thompson guilty of distributing indecent images, with five images in Category A and four in Category C being shared. These charges highlight the extent of his criminal activities, which spanned multiple facets of child exploitation and abuse. The sentencing reflects the gravity of his offences and the serious concern they raise within the community of Dorking and beyond.