TOMAS CURTIS FROM BARRY SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN CARDIFF

In a case that has shocked the community of Barry, Tomas Curtis, a 21-year-old man residing on Wye Close, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of a series of heinous sex crimes involving minors. The conviction was handed down at Cardiff Crown Court on a recent Friday, following Curtis’s plea of guilty to multiple charges that included indecent assault on a young boy, possession of indecent images of children, and the downloading of an extensive collection of child pornography.

Specifically, Curtis was found to have amassed a staggering total of 36,407 pornographic images depicting children. Among these, over 1,000 images were classified as Level Five, indicating the most severe and explicit category of child abuse material. The court was shown disturbing titles associated with some of these images, such as 'Boy Bondage' and 'You Like Them Young,' which underscored the depravity of his collection.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC sentenced Curtis to three and a half years in prison. The court also ordered that half of this sentence be served on license, meaning Curtis will be under supervision for a period following his release. The judge emphasized the severity of Curtis’s crimes, which involved not only possession but also direct sexual abuse of a young boy. Curtis’s employment at Barry Police Station’s lost-and-found department was also highlighted during the proceedings, adding a layer of betrayal given his position within a law enforcement environment.

The investigation into Curtis’s activities was triggered when police visited his home to recover a mobile phone he had admitted to stealing from the police department. During the search, officers discovered troubling images stored on his devices. Concerned about the content, police seized and examined his computer, uncovering thousands of illicit images. Curtis’s defense lawyer, Jennet Treharne, argued that her client’s actions might have been a misguided cry for help. She suggested that Curtis, who had a history of physical deformity during his youth, may have been viewing these images out of 'medical interest.'

The police’s second search of Curtis’s property, after he had purchased a new computer, revealed even more disturbing evidence. A digital camera memory card contained photographs of two young boys. One was shown with his trousers pulled down, and another was photographed with Curtis touching him in a sexual manner. Further, the court heard that Curtis had indecently assaulted one of the boys while he was asleep, having given him cider beforehand. These acts of abuse compounded the severity of his crimes.

Judge Hopkins addressed Curtis directly, stating, “The effect you have had on this boy is one which has shattered his world. He now has difficulties with his studies and feels betrayed.” The judge condemned Curtis’s actions, describing him as a depraved individual who fuels the sick trade of child pornography and the ongoing sexual exploitation of children, some of whom are very young. Despite Curtis’s claims of having physical issues as a teenager, the judge rejected any suggestion that his obsession with such material was medically justified, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the images involved.

As part of his sentence, Curtis was ordered to register as a sex offender and is permanently banned from working with children. He is also prohibited from being in the company of any boy under the age of 18 unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, all of his computer equipment is to be permanently removed to prevent further access to illicit material. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the importance of vigilance within communities like Barry.