JEM TRAYNOR SENTENCED IN SEFTON FOR CHILD SEXUAL IMAGE OFFENCES

Jem Traynor, a former soldier from Everton, had amassed over a thousand images of child sexual abuse on his computer, including one labeled as a paedo archive. Despite denying any sexual interest in children to police, officers discovered this disturbing collection during a raid in April last year, prompted by a tip-off. The police found 167 images classified as Category A, the most severe form of abuse. Prosecutor Zahra Baqri stated that Traynor initially claimed his computer was broken, but evidence showed it was operational, and analysis revealed he had viewed images of children being raped just a week prior to his arrest. The material included extremely graphic content, such as a young child appearing to be blindfolded during abuse. Traynor continued to deny any sexual interest, claiming he was unaware of downloading the indecent images, despite file names like 'paedo archive' and 'pre teen hardcore.' Ms Baqri noted, 'He told the police he was not interested in the material and would not have downloaded it deliberately.' She added that Traynor, who suffers from PTSD exacerbated by drug abuse and alcohol, had attempted to hide his activity using a VPN that made it look like his internet use was taking place overseas. Thumbnails on his computer also indicated the images had been opened. Traynor eventually pleaded guilty earlier this year at Sefton Magistrates Court. He was found with 167 Category A images, 371 Category B images, and 454 Category C images, including 12 videos. Defense solicitor Michael Bagley described Traynor as a lonely individual struggling with PTSD since his service in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. He highlighted that Traynor, now 51, had only worked for a few weeks since leaving the army, illustrating how his PTSD impacted his life. Bagley explained that Traynor turned to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, which led to acting on an inappropriate interest in children. Traynor had come to accept his sexual interest in children and wished to address it, with his solicitor requesting a suspended sentence to allow for rehabilitation outside prison. Bagley said, 'He has been taking steps to have counselling. He presents as someone who is lonely, who needs assistance but is making some progress. I invite the court to punish him but with a suspended sentence so that he can make the progress needed, that society as a whole would benefit from.' However, Judge David Potter determined that due to the prolonged period of offending and the extreme nature of some images—including abuse involving animals—only a custodial sentence was appropriate. The judge stated, 'These images reveal the abuse of children in its most fundamental and horrific form, including penetration and abuse involving animals.' Traynor, of Ember Crescent, was sentenced to a year in prison. He is also required to sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.