Haverfordwest Man Escapes Jail for Child Abuse Images

A Haverfordwest man has narrowly avoided prison after being found with more than 1,000 indecent images and videos of children on his electronic devices. 📱💻

Thomas Becton, 40, of Ty Newydd, Puncheston, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday following the discovery made during a police search of his property on February 2, 2024.

The court heard that Becton possessed a total of 1,044 illegal images, including 11 moving category A images (the most serious category), five moving category B images, 1,011 still category C images, and 17 moving category C images.

Prosecuting, Caitlin Brazell detailed how officers seized multiple electronic devices including a mobile phone, game consoles, flash drives, and a laptop. She highlighted aggravating factors including the high volume of images, the presence of video footage, and evidence showing Becton had specifically searched for such content.

The defendant, who works as a delivery driver and has IT qualifications, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

Defence counsel Emily Bennett told the court: “The defendant knows these are serious offences and the gravity is not lost on him. Being in possession of such material is abhorrent, for which there is no excuse. The defendant knows that he has not tried to minimise this.”

Ms Bennett added that Becton has no previous convictions and was assessed as having a “reasonable chance of rehabilitation.”

During sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards told Becton: “You don’t need me to tell you these images involved real children being harmed and by your actions you supported the pain and suffering caused to those individual children.”

The judge explained her decision not to impose immediate custody, stating: “Immediate custody is the natural instinct of anyone hearing the facts of this case. The reality is you would spend half in prison and the remainder on licence and in that short timeframe nothing would be done to deal with your behaviour. It’s a sad reality that these offences are not uncommon. [My] concern is to ensure you do not offend again and to ensure other children are protected.”

Becton received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He must complete 26 probation appointments, 25 days of rehabilitation, and 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.