ROLAND PROWSE FROM NEWQUAY SENTENCED AFTER REPEATED OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In April 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Roland Prowse, a man from Newquay, who was found to have engaged in the possession and distribution of indecent images of children for the second time. The case was brought before Truro Crown Court, where Prowse, aged 45 and residing on Higher Tower Road, pleaded guilty to a series of serious charges related to his online activities.

According to the prosecution, the police initiated an investigation after receiving reports that Prowse had been making inappropriate and concerning comments about children on the social media platform Facebook. These comments raised alarms within the community and prompted law enforcement to act. During the search of Prowse’s residence, authorities seized his laptop computer for forensic examination. The search took place on August 6 of the previous year, and the results were deeply troubling.

On the device, investigators discovered nearly 200 images depicting children, some of which Prowse had actively sent via email to other individuals. While the images themselves were not classified as indecent, the comments made by Prowse indicated a sexual interest in minors, which compounded the severity of his actions. The police report also revealed that Prowse had previously been convicted in 2011 for similar offenses, including the distribution of indecent images, and had been sentenced to 30 months in prison at that time.

During his interview with authorities, Prowse admitted to accessing and distributing child indecent photographs. He was fully aware that his actions violated the terms of his previous sexual offences prevention order, yet he continued to engage in such activities. His behavior demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal restrictions and the safety of minors.

Representing the defense, Maurice Champion highlighted that Prowse, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, had been disabled nearly since birth. The defense acknowledged that Prowse was addicted to this type of pornography but argued that his prior imprisonment had not provided him with the necessary support or treatment to address his addiction. Mr. Champion urged the court to consider a suspended sentence, emphasizing that Prowse should be given the opportunity to participate in an internet sex offenders’ rehabilitation program, which could be crucial in helping him combat his addiction.

Prowse faced multiple charges, including 12 counts of making indecent images of children at various levels on the police’s severity scale, five counts of distributing such images, and two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals. Additionally, he was found to have breached a sexual offences prevention order previously imposed on him. All these offenses occurred between January and August 2013.

The court sentenced Prowse to two years in prison, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including completion of an internet sex offenders’ program and supervision by the probation service for the same period. A new sexual offences prevention order was issued to replace the previous one, which Prowse had violated. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120. Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, emphasized the seriousness of the offenses and the need for ongoing supervision to prevent further harm, underscoring the importance of rehabilitation and legal compliance in cases involving child exploitation.