A Honiton paedophile, James Power from Devon, “acquired significant knowledge” from his sex offender program, yet subsequently resumed his pursuit of child abuse photos on the dark web. James Power of Honiton completed the Horizon program for sex offenders following his conviction in 2021 for recording sexual encounters with women and possessing over 1,000 child photos.
James Power was considered successful and even participated in poetry evenings with an individual who provided him encouragement during the training. Upon the arrival of his offender manager, it was discovered that he had been utilising a phone to view obscene images and capture photographs of himself exposing his genitalia in various areas.
James Power, 44, of Roundball Close, has been condemned to a term of two years and four months. He acknowledged three violations of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and three counts of downloading obscene photos of minors.
Peter Coombe, the prosecutor, stated that his offender manager visited Power at his residence in May 2024. Upon answering the door, he seemed “flustered”.
He promptly removed the Kik application from his phone and stated that he had been “viewing something inappropriate.” It was revealed that he had affiliated himself with a group that observed individuals engaging in sexual acts with animals.
A total of 174 obscene photographs of minors were discovered on his phone, with 24 classified in the most severe category of abuse.
In February 2025, the police returned, and James Power was once more sluggish in approaching the door. He initially refuted concealing a phone but thereafter led the officer to an airing cupboard where he had concealed a device amid the linens.
An examination of the phone revealed that he had been utilising the internet since the beginning of the year and shown a distinct sexual interest in minors. Photographs also depicted James Power exposing himself at several locales, including the public restrooms on King Street. He transmitted photographs to adults online and engaged in conversations on a dating platform while erasing images.
Zoe Kuyken, in defence, stated that James Power had performed admirably on the Horizon program and acquired substantial knowledge from it. His actions exceeded expectations, rendering his return to court problematic.
She stated that he had transitioned from receiving substantial support from Horizon and probation to minimal assistance, and had “managed the transition inadequately” by returning to the internet during solitary evenings while on leave due to sciatica.
He characterises himself as dependent on material possessions and residing in a realm of illusion. She stated that he explored bestiality websites in pursuit of social interaction. He desires to be prohibited from the internet and expresses profound remorse. She stated that if he were incarcerated, he would forfeit his landscaping employment.
Judge David Evans indicated that James Power may require increased supervision within the community moving forward. He will serve either 40% or 50% of his sentence in incarceration.
The SHPO of Power has been extended till 2036.
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