NATHAN PENNEY OF BESTWOOD SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND ONLINE CONTACT WITH MINORS IN NOTTINGHAM

In July 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Nathan Penney, a 24-year-old resident of Bestwood, who was sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found in possession of an appalling collection of child abuse material and engaging in illicit online communications with minors. The severity of his offenses has shocked the local community and prompted a stern judicial response.

Penney was convicted of possessing approximately 8,000 images and videos depicting the most heinous acts of child abuse, including some involving infants and babies. These images were described by officers as 'distressing and harrowing,' highlighting the brutal reality of the material he had cataloged and stored. The police investigation uncovered that Penney used anti-forensic software to conceal his activities, making it more difficult to trace his digital footprint. The court heard that these images were stored across multiple computers, with one of the devices containing a particularly disturbing collection of Category A material, which is classified as the most serious level of child exploitation content.

Beyond possession, Penney faced charges related to the online solicitation and contact with minors. He engaged in live recorded chats with boys aged between ten and fifteen years, during which he incited them to perform sexual acts. He also showed them Category A videos, including those depicting the rape of children, which further demonstrated the gravity of his offending. One of the charges involved him communicating with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old boy, but who was actually an undercover police officer. Penney used a false name during these interactions, but authorities were able to trace his identity, revealing the extent of his predatory behavior.

Judge James Sampson presided over the case and sentenced Penney on 20 charges to ten years in prison. The judge noted that Penney had pleaded guilty to all charges and that his activities were uncovered on one of his several computers. The court was told that Penney's collection included not only images but also recordings of his own making, which he catalogued meticulously. The judge emphasized that Penney's actions continued even after his arrest, indicating a persistent risk to children. A psychiatric report confirmed that Penney is a paedophile and recommended various interventions, including participation in a sex offenders' program. However, the judge concluded that such measures would only serve to reduce, not eliminate, the risk he posed.

During the sentencing, the judge described the Category A images involving babies and infants as 'distressing and harrowing,' emphasizing the real suffering of the children depicted. Penney appeared via video link from prison, and the judge reminded him that he continued to commit offenses after his arrest. The charges also included the possession of prohibited images, some of which depicted cartoons of children being raped and instances of bestiality. One particularly disturbing charge involved a page from a 'paedophile's guide' to the sexual abuse of children.

Additional charges related to the online interactions with minors. Counts eight through twenty involved causing children to watch sexual acts or inciting them to engage in sexual activities. These charges stemmed from his contact with six different boys, all of whom were targeted through online communication. The court ordered that Penney serve two-thirds of his ten-year sentence before being considered for release, and he was placed on an extended license for five years. Furthermore, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order and mandated to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.