Ex-mayor sentenced for possessing and sharing indecent images of children

A former mayor has been given a suspended jail sentence for possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Terry Judkins, aged 55, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after he admitted the charges. Judkins, from Bush Street in Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to two offences involving Category C images and possessing a prohibited image of a child between September 2018 and August 2021. The ex-mayor of Pembroke Dock also confessed to making and sharing Category A images, which are considered the most serious. The court heard that 11 unique images had been duplicated across two digital devices, with 10 images of a 17-year-old known to Judkins. The defence stated most images involving the 17-year-old were "enthusiastically consensual," noting that sharing indecent images of anyone under 18 is a criminal offence. An additional image depicted teenage boys aged between 10 and 13. Judkins’ lawyer described his actions as "behaviour which he deeply regrets," emphasizing he is of "positive good character" and has suffered shame and embarrassment. The judge, Catherine Richards, remarked that his case contrasted with his previously good reputation and clarified there was no evidence of larger amounts of material beyond the known images. She highlighted that Judkins had distributed two images of a 17-year-old, stressing that the law aimed to protect young people. As a result, Judkins was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for distributing indecent images. He additionally received a six-month sentence, also suspended, for making indecent images. All digital devices used by Judkins are to be forfeited and destroyed. He is required to attend a programme for individuals with convictions for downloading indecent images of children and will be on the sex offenders register for ten years. Judkins is expected to return to court later to determine if a sexual harm prevention order will be imposed.