LEIGH DAMERELL, PLYMOUTH, JAILED AGAIN FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES
In April 2017, Leigh Damerell, a 58-year-old former bus driver from Plympton, was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended, after being found with indecent images of children and engaging in online chat with other paedophiles.Damerell had previously been given a suspended sentence three years prior when caught possessing indecent images and was provided specialist help to address his issues.
Despite this, police monitoring him discovered he possessed two undeclared iPads containing indecent images—two of which had been shared with others.
The court heard that Damerell had shared vile images, and Judge Ian Lawrie stated that such behavior "help(s) to shatter the lives of children being abused." The judge emphasized Damerell's apparent lack of remorse, saying, "You said that you have a desire to be punished.
I take the view that you neither considered nor cared what would happen if you were caught.
You have a compulsion for viewing this material." Damerell, of Yealmpstone Drive, Plympton, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing indecent images of children, one of which was in the most severe category showing a child being sexually abused.
He also admitted to three counts of making or downloading a total of 277 indecent images, including four in the most serious category, between January 2015 and June 2016.
Additionally, Damerell pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order from his previous sentence, which prohibited him from possessing electronic devices capable of storing images unless declared to police.
prosecutors stated that police found the two iPads at his home, which he had not declared, and uncovered indecent images along with chat logs with another paedophile, with two images shared.
As a result, Judge Lawrie extended and made permanent a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, now for life.
In a related case from February 2014, Damerell, then aged 55, was found with over 100 indecent images of children on his computer.
He lost his job as a bus driver following the discovery.
The court heard that Damerell possessed 86 Level 1 images, three Level 3, six Level 4 images, and nine animated prohibited images.
Judge Paul Darlow described the damage inflicted on child victims, stating, "They suffer a loss of innocence and a theft of their childhood," noting that some victims later committed sexual offences.
Damerell admitted four charges of possessing indecent images and expressed remorse, noting his embarrassment and shame, and his willingness to seek help.
The judge sentenced him to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undertake an internet sex offender treatment program.
Furthermore, Damerell received a two-year Sex Offender Prevention Order requiring him to provide his internet history for police inspection, aiming to prevent future offences and monitor his online activity.
