A MAN from Colwyn Bay has been given a “last chance” after breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by viewing indecent images of children as young as two.

Emlyn Williams, 65, of Llys Ednyfed, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court today (July 28).

He had previously pleaded guilty, on July 5, to the following charges:

  • Two counts of breaching his SHPO.
  • Making an indecent photograph of a child.

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Prosecuting, Amy Edwards told the court that, on January 4, 2019, Williams was convicted of eight offences, including possessing indecent and prohibited images.

For those matters, he was jailed for 21 months, made to sign the sex offenders register, and handed a 10-year SHPO.

On June 7, 2022, officers attended his home address, and an examination of his mobile phone revealed that various “cleaning” applications had been installed and removed.

The “Kik” messenger application, which often removes chat history, had also been removed, while three category A indecent images of children aged two to three were found on his phone.

These actions placed Williams in breach of his SHPO.

When interviewed by police in April, Williams accepted he had accessed Kik through the “Google Play” store, and that he engaged in sexualised conversations on it.

But he denied seeing any indecent images, or deriving any sexual gratification from them.

Defending, Siôn ap Mihangel said Williams had a “distorted sexual attitude”, but had told him he was not rehabilitated as successfully during his previous prison term as he had hoped he would be.

Mr ap Mihangel said there was a risk of a “cyclical” problem occurring in Williams’ case, where “nothing will be done” to address his offending and that he will be “in and out of custody”.

He had shown positive engagement with probation services, Mr ap Mihangel said, and invited the court to suspend his custodial sentence.

“If he doesn’t comply with it, he can only blame himself,” he said.

Sentencing, Recorder Greg Bull also imposed 40 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements upon Williams.

Williams must pay £420 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Recorder Bull said: “The children here were very young.

“(When viewing the indecent images) you failed to realise that a real child is being really abused. Their lives are being ruined.

“Society is appalled at such behaviour, and you have found out how society feels about such behaviour in your lifetime.

“Prior to 2019, you were a man of good character. You have tried to re-establish yourself in the community.

“Sending you back to prison will achieve very little, although this offending does pass the custody threshold.

“This is your last chance to try and reform, and stop watching these vile images.”