RICHARD SHURMER FROM BANBURY SENTENCED FOR SECOND TIME WITH CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
| Red Rose Database
Banbury Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has once again brought the issue of online child exploitation to the forefront, Richard Shurmer, a resident of Albert Street in Banbury, has been sentenced to prison after being found in possession of a staggering number of indecent images of children. The authorities revealed that Shurmer, aged 38, had downloaded a total of 12,696 such images, some depicting children as young as just 18 months old.
Shurmer faced multiple charges in connection with his actions. He pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images and also admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that had previously been imposed on him. The court proceedings took place at Oxford Crown Court, where the severity of his offenses was thoroughly examined.
Prosecutor Michael Roques provided the court with details of Shurmer’s criminal history, noting that he had already been convicted in 2010 at Worcester Crown Court on 19 separate charges related to the creation of indecent images. This history underscored a pattern of offending behavior that had not been adequately addressed, raising concerns about the potential risk he posed to the community.
During the sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle emphasized the gravity of the images involved. He stated that between 4,000 and 5,000 of the images were classified as the most serious category, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material Shurmer had collected. The judge made it clear that such images represent real children who are subjected to abuse, and that individuals like Shurmer contribute to a harmful and illegal market that perpetuates this abuse.
Claire Fraser, representing the defendant, attempted to mitigate the situation by explaining that Shurmer suffers from a “schizoid personality disorder.” She argued that he could receive treatment for his condition within the community, suggesting that incarceration might not be the only or best solution.
However, Judge Pringle was unequivocal in his response. He told Shurmer that his actions had real victims and that the court’s primary concern was the protection of children from further harm. As a result, Shurmer was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Additionally, the judge imposed a more stringent SOPO, which now prohibits him from accessing the internet privately, except through his television set, in an effort to prevent further offenses and monitor his activities more closely.
Shurmer faced multiple charges in connection with his actions. He pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images and also admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that had previously been imposed on him. The court proceedings took place at Oxford Crown Court, where the severity of his offenses was thoroughly examined.
Prosecutor Michael Roques provided the court with details of Shurmer’s criminal history, noting that he had already been convicted in 2010 at Worcester Crown Court on 19 separate charges related to the creation of indecent images. This history underscored a pattern of offending behavior that had not been adequately addressed, raising concerns about the potential risk he posed to the community.
During the sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle emphasized the gravity of the images involved. He stated that between 4,000 and 5,000 of the images were classified as the most serious category, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material Shurmer had collected. The judge made it clear that such images represent real children who are subjected to abuse, and that individuals like Shurmer contribute to a harmful and illegal market that perpetuates this abuse.
Claire Fraser, representing the defendant, attempted to mitigate the situation by explaining that Shurmer suffers from a “schizoid personality disorder.” She argued that he could receive treatment for his condition within the community, suggesting that incarceration might not be the only or best solution.
However, Judge Pringle was unequivocal in his response. He told Shurmer that his actions had real victims and that the court’s primary concern was the protection of children from further harm. As a result, Shurmer was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Additionally, the judge imposed a more stringent SOPO, which now prohibits him from accessing the internet privately, except through his television set, in an effort to prevent further offenses and monitor his activities more closely.