Convicted paedophile found with images of three-year-old girl being raped
A convicted paedophile, James Hemmings, 69, of Penarth, was discovered with child abuse images depicting children as young as three-years-old. Despite being made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, he was found with images on an iPad of children being raped. Hemmings had a history of offences, including a conviction for assault on a child under 13, indecent assault, and possession of indecent images back in 2007. Following another possession of indecent images in 2017, he was given a jail sentence and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that police received information suggesting Hemmings had been downloading indecent images. When officers visited his residence on February 9 last year, they discovered an iPad that had not been disclosed to the authorities. An examination of the device uncovered a total of 155 category A images, 108 category B images, and 713 category C images. Among these images was one particularly alarming depiction showing a three-year-old girl being raped by an adult man, along with computer-generated images of children.
Hemmings pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. In his defence, barrister Matthew Comer mentioned Hemmings’ work history in the RAF and as a prison guard, and his involvement with Grangetown Baptist Church. Comer also highlighted Hemmings’ struggles with mental and physical health issues, as well as his acknowledgment of a sexual attraction to children that he is attempting to address.
Despite these circumstances, Recorder John Philpotts remarked that Hemmings had not learned from his past convictions and sentenced him to 18 months in prison. Additionally, a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed on him for a period of 10 years. This case serves as a disturbing reminder of the continued threat posed by individuals with a history of child abuse offences, despite court orders and previous sentences intended to prevent such behaviour.