April 2021
Kendal sex offender had sick images showing child characters from The Simpsons A convicted Kendal sex offender was caught with banned images showing child characters from television show The Simpsons engaging in sexual acts.‬ ‪Carlisle Crown Court heard details of Mark Richard Bradley’s disturbing past as he was sentenced for another concerning crime.‬ ‪In 1983, Bradley – now aged 57 – was punished for indecent assault, and in 2012 he received a five-year jail term for an offence of penetrative sexual assault. He was made subject to the sexual offenders’ notification requirements for life, but received another prison sentence, in 2019, for flouting that order and illegal possession of a bladed article.‬ ‪Prosecutor Brendan Burke told the court police searched Bradley’s home in connection with an unrelated enquiry on December 10, 2019.‬ ‪“They seized an Acer computer which was later found to have 24 prohibited images on it,” said Mr Burke. “All of Simpsons character children engaging in sexual acts between themselves and with parents of that fictional family.‬ ‪“In addition some concerning search criteria was discovered.‬” Mr Burke added: “In interview the defendant claimed initially he was just testing the level of surveillance he was under by carrying out these searches.‬ ‪“He went on to deny any sexual interest in children and to deny he obtained any kind of gratification from the images discovered. “These claims are not regarded seriously by the Crown given his history.”‬ ‪Bradley, of Gardiner Bank, Kendal, admitted possessing prohibited images of a child.‬ ‪The sentencing judge, Recorder Eric Lamb, noted a ‘particularly helpful’ pre-sentence report prepared by a probation officer identified the level of risk presented by Bradley. But it concluded the interests of society would be best served by the defendant complying with a lengthy community order.‬ ‪After hearing submissions, Recorder Lamb imposed a 36-month community order. Bradley must complete a sexual offending behaviour programme as directed, along with a rehabilitation requirement and a four-week night-time curfew.‬ Recorder Lamb told Bradley of the illegal material: “The nature of the images would fill any members of the public hearing about them with disgust.”