NEIL EVANS FROM COLCHESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In December 2019, Neil Evans, a 35-year-old resident of Colchester, was brought before Chelmsford Crown Court to face serious charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, as Evans had collected over 200 illicit images across multiple electronic devices, including external hard drives and computers.

Authorities conducted a thorough raid on Evans' residence located in Nathan Court, Colchester. During the operation, they confiscated a total of 19 electronic devices. Subsequent investigations uncovered that five of these devices contained highly disturbing images depicting child abuse. The police interview with Evans revealed that he admitted to being sexually attracted to girls as young as eight years old, a revelation that added to the gravity of his offenses.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies outlined the extent of the material found in Evans' possession. She stated that he was found with 37 images classified as Category A, which are considered the most serious, 70 images categorized as Category B, and 134 images falling under Category C. These images predominantly depicted pre-pubescent girls, highlighting the disturbing nature of his collection. Additionally, Evans was found to possess 12 prohibited images of children, and authorities also discovered approximately 580 videos that involved bestiality. However, it was noted that these videos had been deleted, and Evans was not in possession of them at the time of arrest.

During the court proceedings, Judge Charles Gratwicke addressed the severity of Evans' actions. He suspended an eight-month prison sentence, opting instead for a two-year probation period. The judge emphasized the profound revulsion that such images evoke in anyone with experience of viewing them, stating that “anyone with experience of seeing indecent images could not fail to be revolted.” He underscored the importance of protecting children from the contamination of such abuse, asserting that “young children have a right to grow up uncontaminated by the abuse of adults.”

As part of his sentence, Evans was ordered to complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement and perform 100 hours of unpaid community service. When leaving the courtroom, Evans expressed a plea for understanding, saying, “Thank you for giving me a second chance,” reflecting a moment of remorse or perhaps a hope for redemption amidst the serious charges against him.