MARK BUDGEN CAUGHT IN LUTON WITH NEARLY 3,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES BUT ESCAPES PRISON

In December 2014, a serious criminal case unfolded involving Mark Budgen, a resident of Luton, who was found to possess a vast collection of indecent images of children. The incident began when police officers arrived at his residence in Lawn Gardens, Luton, on October 2nd of the previous year, responding to suspicions related to his activities.

Initially, police attempted to make contact with Budgen at his home, but he was not present at the time. They subsequently reached him via his mobile phone, during which he stated that he would return from Aylesbury to meet with them. While waiting outside his property, law enforcement observed a man fleeing from a wooded area located behind his house, prompting further investigation.

Following the pursuit, officers recovered a hard drive from the wooded section behind the property. The examination of this device, along with a computer found at the scene, revealed that Budgen had downloaded a total of 2,727 indecent images of children. These images included some classified at the most severe levels of depravity, indicating the disturbing nature of the material he possessed.

Mark Budgen, aged 58, was charged with multiple offenses related to the possession and downloading of child abuse images. During his court appearance at Luton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to seven charges concerning these offenses. Prosecutor Philip Misner detailed the findings, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes.

Despite the gravity of the offenses, Judge Stuart Bridge acknowledged Budgen’s recent efforts to contribute positively to society. The judge noted that in recent years, Budgen had dedicated himself to helping others through charitable work and community involvement. Recognizing these factors, the judge decided to suspend the prison sentence, opting for a more lenient punishment.

As a result, Budgen was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work. The court also mandated that he pay £400 in costs, a £100 victim surcharge, and adhere to a sexual offences prevention order. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender and remain on the sex offenders' register for the stipulated period.

In summary, while the court recognized the severity of the crimes committed by Mark Budgen, it also considered his recent efforts to rehabilitate and contribute positively to society, leading to a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment.