Locations
Trealaw Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, South Glamorgan, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF40
Description
A paedophile was found in possession of more than 5,000 indecent images of children as young as six-years-old as well as AI generated images of child abuse. His family blamed his offending on "fixated behaviour".
Jack Gillard, 25, was visited by police at his home after intelligence had been received about the downloading of child abuse images. A raid was carried out on July 26, 2023, and a number of devices were seized including the defendant's mobile phone.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday heard Gillard was arrested and made no comment.
He was taken to Merthyr Tydfil police station and again made no comment.
Prosecutor Hashim Salmman said a digital forensic examination was conducted on the seized devices and more than 5,000 category A, B and C images were discovered on the defendant's phone.
There was also prohibited material generated by AI which depicted young girls being raped by adult men.
One category A video was accessible, and was described as a compilation video including children aged between nine and 15-years-old involved in various types of sexual activity with adult males.
The youngest child depicted in the images was just six-years-old.
A number of screenshots were found of websites and forums including a collage of images.
There were a total of 1,476 category A images, 370 category B images and 3,145 category C images.
Gillard, of Trealaw Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The court heard he has no previous convictions.
In mitigation, it was said the defendant's behaviour would "never happen again". It was also said his family have concerns about "fixating behaviour, but he has been working hard on reducing his cannabis consumption.
Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, said the defendant was a risk to children due to his "sexual interest in pre pubescent girls".
Gillard was sentenced to one year and 10 months imprisonment.
He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.