MARTIN POWER CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SALISBURY - WALKED FREE FROM COURT

In June 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Martin Power, a 24-year-old man from Salisbury, who was found to possess a significant collection of child sexual abuse images. The incident came to light after police executed a search warrant at his parents’ residence on Marlborough Road in Salisbury, following intelligence reports concerning his internet activity.

On June 7, police officers arrived at the family home while Power was at his place of employment at a local pet shop. During the raid, law enforcement officials seized multiple electronic devices, including a laptop, an iPad, and a tablet, which were believed to contain illicit material. Two days later, officers returned to arrest Power, who was then taken into custody.

During police interviews, Power acknowledged that the devices belonged to him but denied any knowledge of possessing illegal images. However, forensic analysis of his devices revealed a troubling collection of indecent images. Winchester Crown Court was informed that Power’s devices contained a total of 51 category A images, which are classified as the most serious type of child abuse images. Additionally, there were 61 images and two films categorized as B, and 125 images along with three films classified as C.

Judge Keith Cutler, presiding over the case, expressed his disapproval of the situation, stating, “This is fantastically embarrassing for him, that all these years of him looking at worse and worse pornography has come to light.” The judge further noted that Power had likely been accessing these images for approximately seven months before his arrest.

A pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service highlighted the need for Power to undergo rehabilitation. It recommended that he spend sufficient time working with a probation officer to address his underlying issues and to mitigate the risk he posed to children in the future.

Last month, Power appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to three counts of making and possessing indecent images of children. While such offences typically carry the possibility of imprisonment, Judge Cutler expressed a more lenient view, citing Power’s employment status and previous good character. The judge stated, “I would hope that he can carry on in his job and in his community.”

Consequently, Power was sentenced to a two-year community order. As part of this sentence, he is required to complete a sex offenders’ rehabilitation course and to register on the sex offenders’ register. Judge Cutler emphasized the importance of addressing the issue, saying, “It’s quite clear from reading the report that this has been a problem that you have had for some time. I am pleased to see you understand you need help for that, because you realised that each person depicted in that schedule of images are very much victims.”

The judge concluded with a note of caution and hope, stating, “You are only 24, you have a future ahead of you. Please do not mess it up again – learn from this experience. Please do not let me down.”