Bedfordshire Paedophile Jailed for Sexual Assault and Downloading Child Abuse Images

Justin Sandilands, of Shefford, Bedfordshire, has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting a young girl and downloading thousands of disturbing child sex abuse images.

Police discovered the images after visiting Sandilands' home in September 2019, following reports of his online activity. A search of his devices revealed 36 Category A images – the most severe classification – depicting the abuse of children as young as eight. He also possessed 123 Category B images and thousands of Category C images.

Officers identified search terms used by Sandilands to access this material, including terms associated with moving images of child sexual abuse.

At Luton Crown Court on August 13, Sandilands was sentenced after pleading guilty to sexual assault, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing a prohibited image.

Judge Gary Lucy imposed a four-year prison sentence and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of Sandilands' devices. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order will be implemented upon his release to monitor his internet usage.