PAUL ALLEN FROM BEDFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN LUTON

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bedford and the surrounding areas, Paul Allen, a 47-year-old former rowing coach, was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to possessing an enormous collection of illegal child pornography. The charges stemmed from a police search conducted at his residence on April 8 of the previous year, during which authorities uncovered a staggering total of 49,083 indecent images stored on his home computer.

Allen pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court to 19 separate charges related to the possession of these illicit images. Prosecutor Daniel Siong explained that the majority of these images were classified at the lowest level of seriousness, but approximately two percent of the collection fell into more severe categories, indicating a range of exploitative content.

During the court proceedings, Carolyn Evans, representing Allen, provided insight into his background and mental state. She revealed that Allen, who resides on Cutcliffe Place in Bedford, had openly admitted to an addiction to browsing certain websites. Evans stated that Allen had confided in friends about his shame and acknowledged that his moral boundaries had become increasingly blurred. She emphasized that Allen had sought counseling and expressed a willingness to accept further help, urging the judge to consider a suspended sentence.

Evans explained that Allen’s consumption of adult pornography was driven by feelings of loneliness and stress. However, she clarified that the site he frequented also displayed child images, which he downloaded but did not always view. This behavior, she argued, was a sign of his struggle with compulsive internet use rather than a desire to actively engage with such material.

Judge Jeffrey Burke QC addressed Allen directly, condemning the exploitation of children involved in the illegal images. He stated, “Every child involved in that horrific material has been exploited in a dreadful way. By downloading and using those images you are supporting the industry which causes the abuse and degradation.” The judge emphasized the severity of the offense, citing the extensive library Allen had accumulated over the years. Given the scale of the collection and the nature of the crimes, Judge Burke concluded that an immediate custodial sentence was the only appropriate punishment, resulting in Allen’s eight-month imprisonment.