Benjamin Kennedy jailed for downloading child abuse images despite rehabilitation efforts

A West Cumbrian man, Benjamin Kennedy, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after he relapsed into viewing child abuse images despite completing a rehabilitation program.

Kennedy, 34, of Haig Road, Whitehaven, had previously been convicted in April 2021 for engaging in sexual activity with a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act. This led to a community order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). In November 2022, he was given an eight-month suspended jail term for downloading indecent images of children.

However, Kennedy's latest offenses involved deliberately deleting messages on his Snapchat app, a clear breach of his SHPO. A subsequent investigation revealed that he had downloaded 11 illegal images and been requesting sexual images from other users.

Kennedy's defense lawyer, Kim Whittlestone, argued that the Snapchat offense was unintentional due to the app's automatic deletion feature and that Kennedy had been struggling with mental health issues stemming from family stress and alcohol abuse. She emphasized his remorse and desire to reintegrate into society upon release.

Judge Nicholas Barker, however, deemed Kennedy a "persistent sexual offender" who had failed to address his behavior despite extensive support from the Probation Service. He concluded that there was no prospect of rehabilitation and sentenced Kennedy to 15 months in prison. Kennedy will remain on the Sex Offender Register for seven years.