A Nottingham paedophile Jonathan Lake was apprehended with over 1,000 abhorrent photographs depicting the sexual assault of young girls. Nottingham Crown Court was informed that Jonathan Lake had been obtaining and viewing abhorrent illicit images and videos for several months from his residence in Clifton.
The females involved were as young as four; nonetheless, upon his arrest, the 43-year-old, Jonathan Lake, asserted to the authorities that he possessed no sexual interest in minors. After pleading guilty to three crimes, he subsequently acknowledged that he must have disclosed his interests to the probation officer who conducted his pre-sentence report interview.
Handing Jonathan Lake, currently without a permanent residence, received a suspended sentence order. Judge Michael Auty KC stated: “These offences are utterly reprehensible.” The youngsters who are victims in this situation are often oblivious to their victimisation.
The notion of a someone observing others in their bedrooms, gaining sexual gratification from the assault of a small child, would justifiably leave any morally sound individual questioning whether anything could be more abhorrent or contemptible. I fail to comprehend why the cops ceased counting the electronic items confiscated upon reaching 1,000 images.
The public must comprehend that I am bound by the sentencing standards; so, if I impose immediate incarceration, you will endure a very brief time and will be released having forfeited your employment and likely your residence.
“That will revert you to your original state and increase the likelihood of reoffending, in my assessment.”
Dawn Pritchard, for the prosecution, stated that law enforcement executed a warrant at Jonathan Lake’s residence in Clifton after receiving evidence that an internet address associated with the location had been utilised to download the photos. She stated that devices were confiscated and examined, revealing 123 category A photographs, 94 category B images, and 1,000 category C images when the officers ceased counting.
The prosecution stated that Jonathan Lake was apprehended and informed officers he “had no sexual interest in children” and that “it has been occurring for months, not years.” The judge stated, “It required little for him to alter his decision upon conversing with the probation service.”
The defendant, Jonathan Lake, who wiped tears from his cheeks upon learning he would not be incarcerated immediately, pleaded guilty to three charges of producing obscene photographs of children. He possesses no prior convictions.
Luc Chignell, in mitigation, stated: “He is sincerely ashamed and remorseful, but not for his own sake.” He remarked that the arrival of the police to arrest him was, in a sense, somewhat beneficial.
Judge Auty imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with 150 hours of community service and 40 rehabilitation sessions. He additionally enrolled him in the sex offender registry for a duration of 10 years and issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.