Summary
Our client was charged with three counts of making indecent images to which he later pleaded guilty. Managing Partner Nick Titchener represented our client on a privately funded basis where he prepared significant mitigation ahead of our client’s sentencing. Thanks to Nick’s expertise, our client avoided immediate prison and instead received a 9-month suspended sentence order.
Details of the Case
Cambridgeshire Constabulary received intel from Thames Valley Police and The Metropolitan Police regarding two IP addresses that had been confirmed to be in possession of indecent images of children. Both these IP addresses were traced back to our client’s address.
Upon police arrival at the address, our client made indications that he was responsible and he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of a child. Two of his devices were subsequently seized for investigation.
Our client was represented by the Duty Solicitor during his police interview, where he answered no comment to all questions. After being released on bail, our client sought to instruct Managing Partner Nick Titchener due to his specialism in representing clients facing serious allegations, such as indecent images.
Our Defence
After instructing Nick on a privately funded basis, Nick referred our client to a specialist psychologist to address his offending behaviour. Nick also recommended that our client engage in support programmes for those accused of sexual offences.
After several months, the police had completed a full download of our client’s devices and asked to re-interview him. Nick represented our client on this occasion where he gave a prepared statement during the interview. He accepted full responsibility for his actions and expressed genuine remorse for the harm caused by his behaviour and was able to illustrate the proactive steps that he had taken on Nick’s advice.
Our client was later charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, with 20,000 images over the three categories, A, B and C. He entered guilty pleas to all three charges at Cambridge Magistrates Court. Given the circumstances of his case, our client was at risk of receiving a three-year prison sentence, as well as being placed on the sex offender’s register.
Outcome
Ahead of our client’s sentencing, Nick instructed an expert to prepare a mitigating report regarding our client’s mental health. The report detailed how, since the start of the police’s investigation, our client had fully engaged in therapy and addressed several areas of his personal life which ultimately improved his psychological well-being.
When sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court our client was represented by Barrister Drea Becker of 9BR Chambers. Drea argued that given the extensive mitigation in our client’s case and the steps he had already taken towards rehabilitation, an immediate prison sentence would not be appropriate.
Thanks to the strength of Drea’s mitigation, the judge agreed that an immediate prison sentence wasn’t necessary and sentenced our client to nine months imprisonment suspended for two months.
This was a fantastic outcome for our client and a testament to Nick and Drea’s expertise. Without Nick’s support and guidance during the investigation stage, our client likely would have been subject to an immediate prison sentence.
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