TOMOS BENNETT FROM BENLLECH SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES IN ANGLESEY

In a case that has shocked the local community of Benllech and the wider Anglesey area, Tomos Bennett, aged 35, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of possessing, making, and distributing a vast collection of indecent images involving children and animals. The court proceedings revealed that Bennett had stored approximately 30,000 such images on his computers, with a significant portion classified as the most severe category of abuse material.

The case, which was heard at Mold Crown Court, centered on a disturbing collection that included 2,750 still images and 121 video files. Of these, 107 were classified as the most serious category, indicating extreme content involving minors and, in some cases, animals. The investigation uncovered that Bennett had advertised these illicit images online, effectively supplying them to paying customers, although the court noted that there was no evidence suggesting he received financial compensation for the distribution.

Judge David Hale presided over the case and emphasized the gravity of Bennett’s actions. He stated that Bennett had taken extensive measures to conceal his activities, making it difficult to determine exactly which images had been distributed. Despite this, the judge made it clear that the offenses were profoundly damaging, stating, “Children all over the world have been damaged by what you and others take, you say, pleasure in. That is why these offences are so serious.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Bennett was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future activities. Furthermore, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which aims to prevent him from accessing the internet in ways that could facilitate further illegal activities.

Prior to this sentencing, in March 2015, Bennett, then aged 34 and residing in Bwlch, Benllech, had already been linked to possessing over 2,700 indecent images of children and an additional 30,600 photographs indicating an interest in minors. During a police search of his home in April 2013, authorities discovered the extensive collection. Bennett admitted to distributing and downloading these images but claimed he could not recall the specifics of what he had shared. His defense lawyer, Elen Owen, highlighted that Bennett had no previous convictions.

Judge Hale remarked that the prosecution needed to gather more information from the police to clarify the extent of Bennett’s activities. Nonetheless, he indicated that a custodial sentence was inevitable and remanded Bennett in custody until the scheduled trial of issue at Mold Crown Court on April 2. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the serious consequences faced by those involved in such heinous crimes.