David Simons

David Simons, a 45-year-old man from Broadfield Road, Gomeldon, near Salisbury, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on 11 March 2024 for a trial on charges related to indecent images of children. The offences occurred between 30 November 2023 and 8 January 2024, involving the creation of 17 category A images, 22 category B images, and 58 category C images.

During the second day of the trial, Simons pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The images were uncovered on his mobile phone following a thorough investigation by the Child Internet Exploitation Team. Accessible category C images were found in a password-protected hidden folder on the device.

The decision to plead guilty came after the judge permitted the jury to hear evidence of sexual communications Simons had with a user on a social media platform who claimed to have a 12-year-old daughter. In these exchanges, Simons spoke sexually about the child, revealing disturbing intentions despite no identified contact offences.

Detective Constable Justine Parsons of the Child Internet Exploitation Team commented on the case: 'This was a thorough investigation which uncovered images of category A – C indecent images found on Simons’ mobile phone. Accessible Cat C images were found in Simons’ password protected hidden folder on his mobile phone. Although the case was listed for a trial, once the judge heard and agreed to allow the jury to hear the sexual communication that Simons had with a user on a social media platform who purported to have a 12-year-old daughter, he pleaded guilty. He had spoken sexually about the child. These are serious offences and whilst no contact offences were identified, Simons’ intentions were extremely disturbing. Protecting children remains our priority and offenders like Simons have no place in society.'

Simons is scheduled to be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on 11 May 2024. The case was reported by the Salisbury Journal, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation in the region.