PAUL CORBYN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN DEVIZES: EX-CHARITY CHAIRMAN ESCAPES JAIL

In July 2002, a significant case involving Paul Corbyn, a former prominent figure in the mental health charity sector, unfolded in Salisbury Crown Court. Corbyn, who previously served as the chairman of Wiltshire MIND, faced serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of child pornography. Despite the gravity of the charges, Corbyn was ultimately spared a custodial sentence, a decision that drew considerable attention and controversy.

Corbyn, a resident of Devizes, was found to have downloaded thousands of indecent images of children from the Internet. The case came to light after staff at Devizes Computers and Games discovered the illicit material on his computer during a routine repair. The investigation revealed an alarming quantity of images depicting minors in explicit and obscene situations. Some of these images were classified as extremely explicit, raising concerns about the severity of the material involved.

Further details emerged when it was revealed that Corbyn had attempted to send five of these images via email to an address he encountered on an online chat room. Although his initial attempt failed, he succeeded in sending the images four days later, indicating a deliberate effort to distribute the material. The court heard that the images were stored on his computer, which was the basis for the charges of downloading and distribution.

Following his arrest, Corbyn resigned from his position as chairman of Wiltshire MIND, acknowledging the damage caused by his actions. Prosecutor Colin Meeke described the discovery of the images as a serious breach, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the content found on Corbyn’s device.

In his defense, Michael Richards argued that the case had profoundly impacted Corbyn’s life, stating, “This sad case has led to the destruction of this man’s life. It has affected him, the community he lives in, and his role in the community.” Despite the severity of the allegations, the court opted for a non-custodial sentence, imposing a two-year community rehabilitation order. Additionally, Corbyn was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years, marking a significant but less severe outcome than many had anticipated given the nature of the crimes.