LESTER CARPENTER FROM PORTWAY INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN SWINDON
| Red Rose Database
Portway Child Sexual Abuser
In June 2010, a disturbing case emerged involving Lester Carpenter, a gardener residing in Portway, who was found to be in possession of a significant collection of child pornography. The investigation revealed that Carpenter’s computer contained a total of 5,578 indecent images, which had been accumulated over a period spanning from February 2005 to May 2008. These images were categorized into various levels of severity, with 4,626 classified as level one, 185 as level two, 211 as level three, 344 as level four, and 12 as level five, the most severe classification.
Among these illicit images, authorities discovered nine photographs of particular concern. These included lewd images featuring a 12-year-old girl known to Carpenter, with his superimposed face placed onto the bodies of children in the photographs. Additionally, police uncovered clandestine snapshots of schoolchildren, captured without their knowledge while they were engaged in everyday activities. The investigation also revealed 69 movies depicting similar illicit content, alongside a memory stick containing images of schoolgirls, which the prosecution described as children simply going about their daily routines.
Carpenter, aged 48, was arrested at his residence on May 20, 2008, as part of Operation Lancer, an initiative aimed at targeting individuals involved in downloading and possessing child pornography. During the court proceedings at Swindon Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs and one count of possessing indecent photographs. The court sentenced him to a community order, which includes mandatory participation in a sex offenders’ programme. The judge, Douglas Field, emphasized the severity of the images, particularly highlighting the eight level four images, describing them as “really dreadful.”
Prosecutor Simon Brenchley conveyed the emotional impact on the victim, a girl who felt “physically sick” upon discovering her images had been manipulated and used in this manner. She also expressed her intention to sever all contact with Carpenter. The court heard that Carpenter admitted to downloading these images over a period of approximately two years, indicating a sustained pattern of offending.
Defense attorney Alex Daymond argued that Carpenter was attempting to move forward with his life, running his own gardening business. However, the judge underscored the gravity of the case, stating that the total number of images was not unusual for such offenses and stressing the importance of addressing the underlying issues. As part of his sentence, Carpenter was ordered to attend the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme, was disqualified from working with children indefinitely, and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £250, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need for public protection.
Among these illicit images, authorities discovered nine photographs of particular concern. These included lewd images featuring a 12-year-old girl known to Carpenter, with his superimposed face placed onto the bodies of children in the photographs. Additionally, police uncovered clandestine snapshots of schoolchildren, captured without their knowledge while they were engaged in everyday activities. The investigation also revealed 69 movies depicting similar illicit content, alongside a memory stick containing images of schoolgirls, which the prosecution described as children simply going about their daily routines.
Carpenter, aged 48, was arrested at his residence on May 20, 2008, as part of Operation Lancer, an initiative aimed at targeting individuals involved in downloading and possessing child pornography. During the court proceedings at Swindon Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs and one count of possessing indecent photographs. The court sentenced him to a community order, which includes mandatory participation in a sex offenders’ programme. The judge, Douglas Field, emphasized the severity of the images, particularly highlighting the eight level four images, describing them as “really dreadful.”
Prosecutor Simon Brenchley conveyed the emotional impact on the victim, a girl who felt “physically sick” upon discovering her images had been manipulated and used in this manner. She also expressed her intention to sever all contact with Carpenter. The court heard that Carpenter admitted to downloading these images over a period of approximately two years, indicating a sustained pattern of offending.
Defense attorney Alex Daymond argued that Carpenter was attempting to move forward with his life, running his own gardening business. However, the judge underscored the gravity of the case, stating that the total number of images was not unusual for such offenses and stressing the importance of addressing the underlying issues. As part of his sentence, Carpenter was ordered to attend the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme, was disqualified from working with children indefinitely, and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £250, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need for public protection.