TIMOTHY CORNFORD: CROYDON'S CHILD SEX ABUSE OFFENDER SENTENCED IN SHOCKING CASE
In April 2020, Timothy Cornford, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing and viewing child sexual abuse images.The case, which unfolded in Swindon Crown Court, revealed the extent of Cornford's heinous activities and his prior criminal record, highlighting the ongoing threat he poses to the community.
Judge Peter Crabtree emphasized the severity of Cornford’s actions, stating that the nature of his offenses was “simply too serious for anything other than an immediate custodial sentence.” The 52-year-old, who resides in Croydon, was already serving time for previous offenses, including a life license imposed in 2007 after he admitted attempting to meet a girl he believed was 12 years old for sex.
His criminal history underscores a pattern of predatory behavior that has persisted over many years.
The police investigation into Cornford’s activities began in 2018 when authorities received a tip-off about his online searches.
His IP address was flagged after logging onto a file-sharing website known to be used by paedophiles.
This led to the seizure of his Samsung laptop and a hard drive stored in a safe.
Forensic analysis uncovered nearly 900 indecent images of children aged between three and twelve, along with 341 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality.
These images were stored on the hard drive but could not be accessed without specialized software, which Cornford did not possess.
When initially questioned by police in April 2019, Cornford denied any involvement with the indecent images.
However, subsequent forensic analysis of his devices revealed the files, leading to his eventual admission of guilt six months later.
He faced charges of making indecent images in categories A, B, and C, to which he pleaded guilty.
The images were accessed over a period of approximately two months at the end of 2018, indicating a deliberate and sustained period of viewing these illegal materials.
Judge Crabtree pointed out that Cornford’s previous convictions aggravated the seriousness of his current offenses.
His criminal record includes a 2002 conviction for possessing indecent images, for which he served nine months.
In 2007, he was given an indeterminate public protection sentence after admitting to arranging a meeting with an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old girl, with a minimum two-year detention requirement.
As part of his ongoing punishment, Cornford was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his access to internet-enabled devices unless under specific conditions.
Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
Earlier, in January 2007, Cornford’s predatory behavior was again highlighted when he was jailed for attempting to groom a 12-year-old girl.
Under the alias “family love,” he sent her numerous pornographic images and explicit emails, describing his incestuous fantasies in graphic detail.
He also arranged to meet her in a south London park, only to be arrested on the spot when he arrived, discovering that the girl was an undercover police officer.
During the police search of his Croydon residence, authorities found nearly 100 child pornographic images on his computer.
The court heard that Cornford, then 39 and previously residing in Bristol, had a long history of sexual offenses, including possession of 20,000 child porn images, some of children as young as nine months old, and obscene articles for gain.
Judge James Wadsworth QC described Cornford as a significant risk to children, emphasizing that his online conversations were not mere fantasy but part of a disturbing pattern of behavior.
The judge noted the presence of “paraphernalia” in his home and his clear intent to meet a young girl for sexual purposes.
Given the escalation of his obsession with child sex, the court imposed an indefinite prison sentence for public protection, with a minimum term of two and a half years before parole could be considered.
This case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by individuals like Cornford and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable children from such predators.
