String of offences relating to possession of indecent photos and other related crimes.

Man Jailed for Over Three Years for Child Sex Offenses

A 30-year-old man, Richard Smith, of the High Street in Lowestoft, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for a string of offenses related to the possession of indecent images of children and other related crimes.

Smith was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, March 24, after pleading guilty to the following charges:

• Possession of 25 category A indecent images and/or movies of children
• Possession of 68 category B indecent images and/or movies of children
• Possession of 64 category C indecent images and/or movies of children
• Making indecent photographs
• Possession of an extreme pornographic image
• Breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)

Smith, a known registered sex offender, was already serving a suspended sentence for previous convictions related to making indecent images of children.

Officers became aware of Smith's activities in October 2022 when they received a referral indicating he had uploaded an indecent video of a child to Snapchat. Following further investigations, police executed a warrant at his home address on November 29, 2022, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

For all offenses, Smith received a total custodial sentence of 42 months.

PC Nicola Flack from the Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team stated, "This was a clear and blatant disregard by Smith of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. This order was put in place by the judicial system to protect the public from predators like Smith. We are very satisfied with this sentence, which I hope goes some way to reassure the public of the police stance when it comes to subjects of such orders."

Flack added, "Internet crimes such as these are far from victimless and every image depicts the very real abuse a young child has suffered. We will do everything within our power to protect victims who are subjected to these potentially life-changing acts of indecency purely for the gratification of others."