LEE HODSON FROM RHYL ESCAPES PRISON AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENCES

In June 2016, a man from Rhyl named Lee Hodson, aged 33, who has been diagnosed with psychiatric issues, faced serious allegations involving the possession and creation of indecent images and videos of children. Despite the gravity of the offences, Hodson was not sentenced to prison but was instead given a community-based punishment that emphasizes rehabilitation and mental health treatment.

At Mold Crown Court, the proceedings revealed that Hodson, residing on Merfyn Way in Rhyl, had pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child abuse images. These charges included five counts of making indecent photographs and videos, one count of possessing indecent photographs, another of possessing 73 movies, and an additional charge involving an extreme pornographic image. The court heard that the material involved young children and was stored in a manner that allowed Hodson to revisit the content repeatedly.

Judge Rhys Rowlands explained that the decision to avoid immediate imprisonment was based on a careful assessment of the circumstances. The judge highlighted that a short prison sentence would not have addressed the underlying issues or provided any form of intervention, whereas a longer community order would facilitate mental health support and supervision. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting the category A classification of the videos, the age of the children depicted, and the fact that Hodson had stored the material in a folder for easy access.

Prosecutor Matthew Dunford detailed how police officers executed a search warrant at Hodson’s residence in Rhyl in June of the previous year. During the search, officers discovered the offending material, which Hodson admitted to searching for and possessing through file-sharing software. The police found evidence of his involvement in seeking out such content.

Hodson’s legal representative, Anna Pope, argued that her client suffers from agoraphobia and a compulsive disorder. She pointed out that two psychiatric reports had been prepared to assess his mental health. The defense also highlighted that Hodson had no prior convictions and that the case had been pending for a significant period, which was not due to any fault of his own.

As part of his sentence, Hodson was placed on the sex offender register for five years and was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo mental health treatment and participate in a supervised program similar to community internet sex offender schemes, aimed at reducing the risk to the community and addressing his underlying issues.