A transgender paedophile, Scarlett Lee, was discovered in possession of a folder containing animated drawings illustrating child sexual abuse, despite being subjected to a court order for the identical conduct. Scarlett Lee violated an order by utilising an alternate name to access social media accounts following her transition.
Scarlett Lee, 30, formerly identified as Scott Henwood, was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in February of the previous year following a conviction for possessing an illicit image of a minor. Scarlett Lee received a two-year community term, along with sex offender notification obligations and a Sexual Harm Prevention term.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that the defendant was in supported accommodation. On May 11 of the previous year, a support worker, when cleaning the room, discovered a message of a sexual nature on Scarlett Lee’s phone.
The employee informed her senior management, who subsequently conversed with the defendant, who then displayed an explicit animated image on the PC computer to the manager.
Prosecutor Dominie Patel stated that Scarlett Lee was enquired about access to the dark web, which she refuted; nonetheless, Scarlett Lee acknowledged, “There is likely content on my laptop that I should not possess.”
The police were summoned, and several items were confiscated, including a PC tower.
An analysis of the device uncovered a folder containing 80 animated graphics illustrating adults involved in sexual acts with youngsters.
The defendant was granted bail; but, on March 12 of this year, Scarlett Lee violated the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by utilising a name other than Scott Henwood to access a YouTube account.
Upon interrogation by law enforcement, the defendant stated that they had legally altered her identity to Scarlett Lee via deed poll and presumed that the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) had been amended to reflect the new name.
Scarlett Lee, residing at The Parc, Bridgend, admitted guilt to possessing a restricted image of a child and violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The court heard Scarlett Lee has three previous convictions for breaching a SHPO and had previously been made subject to an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
In mitigation, Bethan Evans said her client has a number of “personal difficulties” including mental health, being diagnosed with autism and bipolar disorder, bullying and isolation. It was also said Scarlett Lee has lost contact with her family following the “transition”.
Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: “You have no regard for orders made by the court. You have a persistent interest in child abuse images, but you deny having a sexual interest in children or of understanding the SHPO.”
The judge added there was “no or little realistic prospect of rehabilitation for Scarlett Lee”.
Scarlett Lee was sentenced to a total of two years and four months imprisonment.
Scarlett Lee will remain subject to sex offender notification requirements and the SHPO.
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