SWINDON PAEDOPHILE STEPHEN SOAR FACES DELAYED SENTENCE AFTER POLICE FAIL TO EXAMINE HALF A MILLION IMAGES
In May 2021, the case of Stephen Soar, a 52-year-old resident of Lincoln Street, Swindon, was set to reach a conclusion at Swindon Crown Court after he admitted to possessing over 1,350 images related to child sex abuse.The majority of these images, precisely 1,321, were classified in the lowest category of severity.
However, the sentencing was unexpectedly postponed when Judge Peter Crabtree decided to adjourn the proceedings until July, citing concerns over the adequacy of police investigations.
The judge expressed serious doubts about the thoroughness of the police examination of the digital evidence, revealing that only approximately one thousand images had been categorized out of nearly half a million files discovered on Soar’s computers.
Judge Crabtree questioned the rationale behind the police’s limited categorization, stating, “At the moment I am disinclined to sentence Mr.
Soar today because I have no idea where this 1,000 threshold comes from, but it is ludicrous in my view if it is worked on the basis of an arbitrary approach if someone looked on the USB stick.” He emphasized that such an approach failed to provide a clear understanding of the true severity of the offending.
He further criticized the police’s handling of the evidence, noting that the investigation appeared superficial.
“It gives the court absolutely no idea what the real gravity of the offending is,” the judge remarked.
He pointed out that the defendant’s devices, specifically his laptop and computer tower, likely contained more serious material, and questioned why a more comprehensive examination had not been conducted.
Judge Crabtree expressed concern over the lack of detailed analysis of the remaining images, stating, “I don’t know what the other images on Soar’s computer showed.” He concluded that the case needed further investigation and ordered the prosecution and defense to discuss an acceptable basis for sentencing.
As a result, Soar was granted bail and is scheduled to return to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on July 2.
The case highlights ongoing issues with digital evidence handling in cases involving serious allegations of child exploitation.
