February 2017

‘Twisted’ Yeovil paedophile who threw his laptop on to garage roof to avoid police is spared jail

A 26-year-old from Yeovil who threw a laptop containing images of child abuse onto his garage roof in a bid to hide it from the police was spared jail today by a judge who branded him ‘twisted’.

Benjamin Lee’s computer was found on top of the garage roof when police arrived to search his home at Hendford Hill in Yeovil on July 7 last year.

The court also heard that Lee had previously been cautioned by police for possessing images of child abuse.

Prosecuting, William Hunter told Taunton Crown Court that Lee had denied having any illegal images on his computer.

“But when it was examined, officers found 10 category A images, eight category B images and one category C image,” he said.

One of the pictures showed a child estimated to be two years old being abused.

“Police also found some Skype conversations with another individual that related to the images, and that an image featuring two children, believed to be around 10 and 12 years old, had been shared between them.”

When he was arrested, Lee gave a no comment interview to police, but pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of indecent images when he appeared before Yeovil magistrates last month.

Defending, Harry Ahuja said Lee would ‘take any help’ offered to him with both hands.

“He needs to be open and honest about his offending and where the thrill comes from,” he said.

“He is not currently working and he has been taking anti-depressants, but he is hoping that if he does not go to prison today, with some form of help, he can address his offending and get back to work as soon as possible.”

Sentencing Lee to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge David Evans told him: “Only a twisted mind looks at images of two-year-old children being abused, and it’s those types of images that form the most serious charge you face today.

“While the volume of the images was quite low, the age and vulnerability of the victims aggravate your offending. This was something you had already been cautioned for, and you were in no doubt that you were crossing the line again.

“I am concerned about your pattern of behaviour, and I feel the interests of the public at large are best served by an order that will help keep children safe and force you to address your behaviour, and allow for that twist in your mind to be addressed.”

For possession of the Category A images, Lee was sentenced to a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. A six-month prison sentenced, also suspended for two years was imposed for the Category B and C images, to run concurrently.

Lee was also ordered to carry out 60 days of rehabilitation activity and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.

The judge warned him: “Before today, you were cautioned. Today you are subject to a suspended custodial sentence. This is your last warning. If this happens again, you will go to jail.”

January 2017

Yeovil paedophile downloaded images and videos of children in most serious category

A Yeovil man who was found in possession of pornographic images and videos of children has been sent to Taunton Crown Court to be sentenced.

Benjamin Lee downloaded the indecent material from the internet and when police discovered the images they covered all three categories of seriousness from A (the most serious) to C.

Lee, 24, of Hendford Hill, pleaded guilty to being in possession of indecent photographs at Yeovil on July 5 last year, namely three category B images/videos of a child.

He also admitted two similar allegations involving four category A images/videos of a child and one category C image of a child on the same date when he appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that the category of the images discovered by the police suggested that the case should be dealt with at the crown court due to the serious nature of the offences.

Defending solicitor Chris Ivory said that the starting point for offences of this nature was 12 months custody and did not argue with the decision to send it to the higher court.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered Lee to be sent to Taunton Crown Court to be sentenced on February 3.

In the intervening period they ordered the Probation Service to prepare a pre sentence report to be put before the judge and until the neat hearing released the defendant on unconditional bail.