PAUL HAWKESFORD FROM WORCESTERSHIRE SPARED JAIL AFTER DOWNLOAD OF OVER 20,000 CHILD PORN IMAGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Paul Hawkesford, a 39-year-old resident of Kidderminster in Worcestershire, was found to have downloaded an alarming number of indecent images of children from the internet. The investigation revealed that Hawkesford had accumulated more than 20,000 such images, which he accessed over a period spanning from October 2000 to March of the following year. The authorities uncovered this disturbing activity during a nationwide crackdown on internet-based child pornography, leading to a police raid on his residence in Wolverley, where the offences had been committed.

Hawkesford faced multiple charges in connection with his actions. He admitted to ten counts of creating indecent pseudo-photographs of children and five counts of distributing these illicit images during an earlier court hearing. The severity of his crimes was underscored by Judge David McEvoy QC at Worcester Crown Court, who emphasized the gravity of the offences. The judge remarked, “To make the photographs, the children had to do the posing,” highlighting the disturbing nature of the material involved. He further stated, “You downloaded the images and you got some sort of sexual gratification from it,” indicating the serious implications of Hawkesford’s actions.

Prosecutor Adam Weston provided details about the timeline of the offences, noting that Hawkesford’s criminal activity took place over several months. The court was informed that Hawkesford’s residence was raided as part of a broader investigation into internet pornography, which ultimately led to his arrest. The case also revealed that Hawkesford’s physical condition posed additional challenges; he had lost sight in one eye as a baby, and his remaining eye had deteriorated following an accident during his teenage years. At the time of the offences, Hawkesford’s ability to view the images was severely limited, requiring him to use a very strong magnifying glass to see the content.

Hawkesford’s mental health was also a concern. Since his arrest, he had attempted to take his own life on two separate occasions. Additionally, he had become virtually confined to his home after his guide dog was taken away due to allegations of neglect, further isolating him from the outside world. His defense lawyer, David Mason, acknowledged the gravity of the case, noting that the authorities had discovered over 20,000 downloaded images, which underscored the extent of Hawkesford’s involvement in the distribution and possession of child pornography.

In sentencing, Hawkesford was not sent to prison but was instead given a three-year Community Rehabilitation Order. He was also ordered to participate in a sex offenders’ treatment program and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years. The judge issued a stern warning, cautioning Hawkesford that any breach of his sentence could result in imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness with which the court viewed his offences and the importance of ongoing supervision and rehabilitation.