SIMON BOON FROM HEREFORD AND LEOMINSTER SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over several years, Simon Boon, a man with ties to Hereford and Leominster, has been convicted of multiple serious offences involving minors and the possession of indecent images. His criminal activities include both direct contact with a young girl and the possession of explicit material, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that has now culminated in his imprisonment.

In April 2019, Boon, aged 39 and residing at Nicholson Court, Bobblestock, Hereford, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after admitting to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, as well as breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The offences occurred in August of the previous year, during a period when Boon was already participating in community group work aimed at addressing his sexual interests in children. Despite these interventions, his actions demonstrated a clear disregard for the restrictions placed upon him.

The prosecution, led by Siobhan Collins, detailed how the victim, a teenage girl, had shown no interest in Boon and had become increasingly concerned about his inappropriate behavior. This included an unsettling incident where Boon attempted to give her £90 as 'spending money,' which raised alarm bells. The court heard that Boon had made inappropriate comments about her appearance, teasing her about her weight and making remarks about her physical features while she was on holiday. Specifically, he commented on her wearing a cropped shirt and touched her stomach, actions she clearly told him to stop. When she later confided in her family about Boon’s conduct, her father confronted him and warned him to stay away from her.

Further troubling behavior was revealed when Boon approached a friend of the girl, claiming he needed to apologize to her. He also made inappropriate comments about her appearance, stating that she had been 'smoking hot' with abs before her holiday, but had gained weight afterward. In September of the same year, Boon attached a note to the front of the girl’s house, which was intercepted by her mother and handed over to police. In the note, Boon expressed remorse, describing his actions as 'rude and unfair' and stating he should be publicly flogged for his 'disgusting displays.'

It was established that Boon’s contact with the girl was in breach of a sexual harm prevention order issued on October 14, 2016, which explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children under 16. This order was part of a broader sentence that included a three-year community order for possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography, imposed on September 22, 2016. The police arrested Boon at his home on September 7, 2018, following allegations of inappropriate contact with the girl. During the arrest, officers also seized cannabis from his residence.

At Hereford Police Station, Boon admitted to officers that he was aware the girl was only 15 years old. He attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had only 'walked his fingers across her stomach twice in a moment of madness' and then tried to hug her. His behavior, despite being under supervision, was seen as a serious breach of trust and safety.

Judge Jim Tindal addressed Boon directly during sentencing, noting that he appeared to lead a solitary and isolated life, which may have contributed to his descent into a 'dark world.' The judge emphasized that Boon’s breach of the order was deliberate and potentially very serious, reflecting a pattern of escalating offending. Despite giving Boon full credit for his guilty plea, the judge highlighted that these offences occurred while he was under probation support, which was meant to prevent such incidents. Consequently, the judge described his actions as an escalation of his criminal behavior.

As a result, Boon was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Additionally, the sexual harm prevention order was extended to ten years, along with notification requirements that will also be in effect for a decade.

In a separate case from September 2016, Boon, then aged 36 and living on West Street, Leominster, pleaded guilty to possessing 161 indecent images of children and an extreme pornographic video. Prosecutor Adrian Jones explained that the video was particularly disturbing, depicting the damage of a female’s private parts. The images and video were found on Boon’s Sony Xperia mobile phone, which he had taken to a repair shop. When the repair technician examined the device, he discovered the illicit material and immediately contacted police.

Boon admitted to purchasing the phone from Cash Generators six to eight weeks prior and using it to search for pornography, including terms like 'jailbait' and 'very young girls.' He explained that he used his mother’s Wi-Fi at her house during visits on weekends to access these materials. Boon also expressed that he found the content of punishment pornography particularly appealing. When questioned, he claimed he did not know why he downloaded such material but acknowledged that he had seen images of children in New Zealand, which made him uncomfortable. He admitted that he downloaded these files for his own use, fully aware of their illegal and immoral nature.

The court ordered a comprehensive pre-sentence probation report to explore all sentencing options, and the case was adjourned until the following month for further proceedings. The authorities continue to monitor Boon’s case, reflecting the seriousness with which these offences are treated and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals.