PAUL ASHTON FROM PENZANCE CONVICTED OF MAKING 88,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN DEVON AND CORNWALL

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Penzance and the wider Devon and Cornwall region, Paul Ashton, a 44-year-old resident of Colinsey Road in Penzance, has been found guilty of producing an astonishing total of 88,000 indecent images of children. The conviction follows a lengthy investigation and a high-profile trial at Truro Crown Court, where Ashton faced multiple charges related to the possession and creation of child exploitation material.

During the proceedings, Ashton admitted to 50 charges but maintained that he was not a paedophile. Instead, he claimed that his actions were motivated by an artistic intent, asserting that he used the images to create artistic montages. This defense was scrutinized heavily during the trial, especially given the nature and volume of the images seized.

The jury was informed that Ashton’s claims of artistic purpose did not align with the evidence presented. The court was told that police had seized three computers from Ashton’s home during a raid in May 2003, which uncovered the staggering number of 88,000 images depicting children in various states of exploitation. The seizure was part of a broader police operation known as Operation Ore, launched two years prior to investigate internet-based paedophilia and related crimes.

Ashton’s case was among the largest seizures of child exploitation material in the region, highlighting the scale of the investigation. The police described the seizure as one of the most significant in Devon and Cornwall to date. During the trial, Ashton attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the downloading of such images was a 'natural hazard' when browsing the internet, implying that he did not intentionally seek out illegal content but rather encountered it inadvertently.

In a move that underscored the seriousness of the case, the court excluded the public from viewing some of the images during the trial to protect the integrity of the proceedings and the dignity of potential victims. The judge warned Ashton that he would face imprisonment when he is sentenced, and he has been remanded in custody pending the preparation of reports that will determine his final sentence.

Detective Constable Sally Main from Devon and Cornwall Police commented on the case, noting that Ashton’s prosecution marked the 70th successful case in the region since the inception of Operation Ore. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.