NIGEL GHENT ESCAPES JAIL AT ISLE OF WIGHT CROWN COURT DESPITE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES

In January 2020, Nigel Ghent, a 49-year-old man from Market Street, Ventnor, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found in possession of nearly 3,000 indecent images of children as young as six, as well as actively trading these images online.

Ghent was arrested at his workplace following police investigations. During the investigation, he was found to have searched for terms such as 'pre-teens' and 'Lolita angels' and had shared these illicit images with other offenders via online communications.

At the Isle of Wight Crown Court, Ghent pleaded guilty to seven charges: three counts of possessing indecent images of children, three counts of distributing such images, and one count of encouraging or assisting with an offence. He had previously admitted these charges at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on November 15.

Prosecutor Tim Compton explained that Ghent was identified after Metropolitan Police officers examined the computer of another offender and uncovered Skype messages – shared from an account linked to Ghent – containing indecent images. He stated: "Hampshire Police were informed of the Skype account NewRanger1970, which had an email address attached to it. Police were able to trace that email to an IP address in Ventnor."

Further inquiries led to Ghent being arrested at his workplace. Police found that his email account was used to send moving images and stills to others, and a folder on his laptop titled 'pics' stored the illicit material. An ongoing conversation with an account named DesertDaren included exchanges where questions were asked such as, 'How young do you want to see?'

An examination of Ghent’s laptop revealed nearly 3,000 explicit images and videos of children aged between six and 14. His Google search history showed he looked for terms like 'pre teens,' 'Lolita angels,' and 'twinks.' In his interview, Ghent admitted to his wrongdoing, stating, 'He told police he just wanted to feel loved.' He also expressed remorse, acknowledging his actions and noting that he had lost his job after court appearances. It was noted that Ghent had no prior criminal record.

The presiding judge, Judge David Melville, emphasized the gravity of the offences, saying: "These offences are extremely serious. Children of a very young age have been exploited for these images and for your own sexual gratification. One can only imagine the grief, distress and effects on these children in order to produce these images, and one can only hope their suffering will not be lifelong, but one can only hope."

Ultimately, Ghent received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, including 40 days of rehabilitation activities.