KENNETH HAMILTON FROM PLYMOUTH JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND DISTRIBUTION

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Plymouth, Kenneth Hamilton, a 50-year-old man from College Avenue, Mutley, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the possession and distribution of child abuse images. The Plymouth Crown Court heard how Hamilton, who was also a mature student at the University of Plymouth, admitted to a series of serious charges related to the exploitation of children through digital media.

Hamilton faced a total of 17 charges, which included making indecent images of children, distributing such images, and possessing indecent photographs. The charges spanned a period from November 26, 2005, to April 17, 2008. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of creating indecent images, five counts of sharing these images with others, and two counts of possession. His actions, as detailed in court, involved a disturbing pattern of behavior that extended over several years.

According to the prosecution, Hamilton’s online activities were traced back to his user name and PL2 postcode, linking him to a garden flat where he resided with his partner. The police investigation, which was part of a broader operation initiated in 2006, culminated in a raid on his home on April 18 of the previous year. During the search, authorities discovered a staggering collection of digital material: 8,518 still images and 371 video files depicting child abuse. Among these, 224 images and 17 videos were classified as the most severe category, level five, showing children being raped and subjected to brutal abuse.

Further investigation revealed that Hamilton was actively involved in file-sharing with other offenders. He had sent thousands of images to 29 different individuals and had used the internet to search for more material, employing search terms such as ‘paedo little girl’. During police interviews, Hamilton admitted to downloading child pornography since 2003. He disclosed a sexual preference for boys and girls aged six to thirteen and even boasted online about abusing young relatives, a behavior described by Judge Francis Gilbert QC as “obnoxious bragging.”

Legal representatives for Hamilton, Malcolm Clarke, acknowledged that his client had fully cooperated with police and recognized the need for help. Clarke emphasized that Hamilton had accepted the suffering inflicted on children by such material and expressed remorse for his actions. The court was informed that Hamilton’s conduct had brought shame upon himself and his family, and that the University of Plymouth had asked him to withdraw from his course.

Judge Gilbert, in delivering the sentence, highlighted disturbing aspects of Hamilton’s personal life, including reports indicating that he was bisexual, enjoyed wearing women’s clothing, and used Viagra. The judge condemned Hamilton as “seriously depraved” and a danger to children. He emphasized the horrific nature of the abuse depicted in the images, noting that children had endured “appalling and painful” experiences during their victimization. The judge also warned that as long as individuals like Hamilton continued to seek out such material, the production of child pornography would persist.

As a result of his crimes, Kenneth Hamilton was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the same period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.