Saltdean Man in Child-sex Shame
by [J]
Newspaper [P]
9/2/06
Child-sex charges were today withdrawn against a Saltdean man after the Prosecution admitted it did not have enough evidence. Charges of sexually assaulting two girls aged under ten were brought last year against [X], but at the start of what was expected to be a 2 week trial, the Prosecution said they could not proceed because the children involved were too traumatised to give evidence. Forensic evidence in the case was said to be “inconclusive”. Prosecutor Peter Bentley said it gave him no pleasure to have to withdraw the charges, and that he could understand how the children and their families would feel “betrayed” by the system, but under the circumstances it was the only option available.
After the charges against [X] were formally dismissed, he pleaded guilty to five specimen charges of downloading child pornography from the internet. The “disgusting” images were found on [X]’s computer after police raided his home while investigating the allegations of sexual assault.
[X], a former member of the British National Party, was described as a “virtual alcoholic” and a “sick pervert” who was obsessed with Adolf Hitler and immersed himself in far-right politics. The court heard that he was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1996.
In mitigation, [X]’s solicitor said that his client had been suffering from depression and drinking heavily at the time the offensive images were discovered on his computer. [X] was said to spend long hours surfing the internet. He is now attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was willing to attend specific “offence-related” counselling if ordered to do so by the court.
The case was adjourned for two weeks for sentencing reports.
by [J]
Newspaper [P]
9/2/06
Child-sex charges were today withdrawn against a Saltdean man after the Prosecution admitted it did not have enough evidence. Charges of sexually assaulting two girls aged under ten were brought last year against [X], but at the start of what was expected to be a 2 week trial, the Prosecution said they could not proceed because the children involved were too traumatised to give evidence. Forensic evidence in the case was said to be “inconclusive”. Prosecutor Peter Bentley said it gave him no pleasure to have to withdraw the charges, and that he could understand how the children and their families would feel “betrayed” by the system, but under the circumstances it was the only option available.
After the charges against [X] were formally dismissed, he pleaded guilty to five specimen charges of downloading child pornography from the internet. The “disgusting” images were found on [X]’s computer after police raided his home while investigating the allegations of sexual assault.
[X], a former member of the British National Party, was described as a “virtual alcoholic” and a “sick pervert” who was obsessed with Adolf Hitler and immersed himself in far-right politics. The court heard that he was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1996.
In mitigation, [X]’s solicitor said that his client had been suffering from depression and drinking heavily at the time the offensive images were discovered on his computer. [X] was said to spend long hours surfing the internet. He is now attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was willing to attend specific “offence-related” counselling if ordered to do so by the court.
The case was adjourned for two weeks for sentencing reports.
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