Serial sex offender had indecent images of children.

Serial Sex Offender Given Community Order Despite Hiding Indecent Images

David Stansfield, 48, has been given a community order by York magistrates after he claimed to be a reformed character. Stansfield had previously served a prison sentence for possessing indecent images of children, with a judge describing his behavior as a "vile addiction."

Stansfield has been subject to a court order restricting his internet use and allowing police monitoring since 2016. He is also registered as a sex offender. On February 5, 2021, police found a hidden phone at Stansfield's home containing 230 indecent images of children. Stansfield pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children in the least serious category.

Stansfield's solicitor, Chris McGrogan, argued that his client had significantly changed since his previous offenses. He highlighted Stansfield's full-time job, new friendships, and absence from court for three years. McGrogan emphasized the positive changes in Stansfield's life.

Magistrates sentenced Stansfield to a 30-month community order with a rehabilitative program, rehabilitative activities, and unpaid work. They also imposed a new indefinite sexual harm prevention order with additional provisions, including lie detection tests. Stansfield will remain on the sex offenders' register until May 2029.

Prosecutor Alison Whiteley detailed Stansfield's previous convictions. In 2012, he was convicted of six counts of possessing indecent images of children and received a three-year community order. In 2016, he was jailed for 12 months after being found with more indecent images, which he attempted to hide using an app. Judge Paul Batty QC described Stansfield's actions as a "vile addiction."

The latest incident occurred when police found a hidden phone containing indecent images in February 2021. In May 2021, Stansfield was sentenced to an 18-month community order for breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Whiteley stated that Stansfield's failure to disclose the illegal phone content to police resulted in forensic analysis being required to find the images.

McGrogan disputed Whiteley's claims, stating that Stansfield had been "very forthcoming" and had assisted the police. He attributed Stansfield's actions in 2021 to isolation, leading him to consume alcohol and drugs.