KENDAL MAN ROY SUMNER SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN CUMBRIA

In May 2011, a man from Kendal, Roy Sumner, was handed a significant legal sentence after being found guilty of possessing and downloading explicit images of children on his personal computer. The case unfolded when Sumner, aged 64, took his computer to a local repair shop in Kendal for servicing. During the repair process, technicians at the shop discovered highly disturbing material stored on his device, which prompted immediate concern and led them to contact law enforcement authorities.

Prosecuting counsel Charlotte Holland explained to Carlisle Crown Court that the police were called in after the technicians reported their findings. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Sumner had downloaded a total of 23 indecent images of children from the internet. Among these were two videos involving very young children, which caused particular alarm among the authorities. The images included some of children as young as two or three years old, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material involved.

During the court proceedings, Judge Paul Batty QC addressed the defendant directly, stating, “I have had the melancholy task of viewing some of the material. This is an extremely serious case.” The judge emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that the images depicted real abuse inflicted upon vulnerable children.

Sumner pleaded guilty to all 23 charges, which included one image classified as grade five on the official scale—indicating the most severe level of depravity. In sentencing, Judge Batty sentenced Sumner to 12 months in prison, but this was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for a decade and placed under probation supervision for two years.

The court also mandated that Sumner attend a rehabilitation program aimed at addressing issues related to internet use for child pornography. Furthermore, the judge imposed a series of indefinite restrictions, including bans from working with children, having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16, and possessing a computer unless it is equipped with police-approved monitoring software to prevent access to such material in the future.

Defense barrister Waheed Omran-Baber highlighted that Sumner had aspirations to volunteer with vulnerable groups, such as blind people, but the court’s orders explicitly prohibit him from engaging in any activity that might bring him into contact with vulnerable individuals. The judge’s decision reflects the seriousness with which the court views the possession and distribution of child pornography, underscoring the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable populations from exploitation and abuse.