JONATHAN PRICE SENTENCED IN CRAWLEY FOR MULTIPLE OFFENSES INCLUDING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
A man identified as Jonathan Price, formerly a motor mechanic residing in the Tilgate area of Crawley, attempted to conceal a mobile phone from police officers at his address during an investigation.Price was found to have downloaded numerous indecent images of children onto his phones.
Initially, he was arrested and placed under strict bail conditions so that digital forensic analysis could be carried out.
Despite these measures, he continued to download and share child exploitation images while on bail.
The 35-year-old also downloaded extreme pornographic material.
When authorities attempted to arrest him a second time for new related offences, Price tried to hide a mobile phone and resisted arrest.
During police interviews, he claimed the phones belonged to friends, but evidence showed his direct involvement in their use.
Officers also demonstrated that he had attempted online sexual communication with minors.
Price eventually admitted to 16 charges when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on March 28.
He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
The investigation revealed that Price's initial arrest in December 2022 uncovered indecent images of children, extreme pornography, and cocaine on his possession.
While on bail, police received additional information indicating that he was still viewing and distributing paedophilic images, prompting a further arrest in August 2023 and remand in custody.
Detective Constable Sophie Alderson, who led the investigation, stated: "Price was initially arrested and strict bail conditions were imposed while digital forensic work was undertaken.
But he continued to possess and download disturbing images of child sexual abuse.
When officers arrested him again, he was intoxicated on cocaine and fought to keep a new mobile phone from being seized." She added, "In interviews, he made bizarre claims about the devices, blaming fictitious acquaintances and saying he was being threatened to hold devices for other paedophiles.
Our evidence proved he downloaded indecent images, used the phones personally, kept contacts, and accessed personal accounts." Price was convicted of six counts of distributing indecent images of children across all categories, two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals, three counts of creating indecent images of children, three counts of attempting to sexual communication with minors under 16, and two counts of possessing cocaine.
He is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from owning electronic devices without police approval, having social media accounts unless permitted, and using live-streaming apps.
Monitoring software must be installed on any computer equipment, and passwords provided to police.
The order also mandates that he inform parents or guardians before contacting children.
Additionally, Price is now a registered sex offender.
