James Hemmings, A convicted Penarth Paedophile was discovered in possession of photographs on an iPad depicting the rape of children as young as three years old. A court order prevented him from owning electronic devices without the probation service’s knowledge.
James Hemmings, 69, of Penarth, was previously convicted in 2007 of assault by penetration of a child under 13, indecent assault, and possession of obscene photographs. In 2017, he was sentenced to imprisonment after being discovered in possession of obscene photos of children, and was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, it was revealed that police had received intelligence indicating the defendant was downloading indecent photos. On February 9 of the previous year, officers visited his residence and discovered an iPad that had not been reported to the authorities.
An examination of the device revealed a total of 155 category A images, 108 category B images and 713 category C images. Prosecutor James Evans said the most “disturbing image” depicted a three-year-old girl being raped by an adult man. There were also computer generated images of children on the iPad.
James Hemmings, of Brockhill Way, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and breaching a SHPO. In mitigation, defence barrister Matthew Comer said his client had worked in the RAF and as a prison guard, and attended Grangetown Baptist Church. He said the defendant suffers with mental and physical ill health, and accepts he has a sexual attraction to children which he is trying to overcome.
Sentencing, Recorder John Philpotts said the defendant had “still not learnt his lesson” following his previous convictions. He sentenced James Hemmings to 18 months’ imprisonment and made him subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
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