Lee Bartlett

A former professional surfer from Cornwall, Lee Bartlett, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after admitting to possessing a large collection of indecent images of children. The 50-year-old, residing on Mayfield Road in Newquay, appeared at Truro Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. The offences spanned from 2018 to June 2020, during which time Bartlett amassed 183 Category A images—the most severe category depicting the most explicit abuse—along with 244 Category B and 177 Category C images, totalling more than 600 files.

The court heard details of the images, which showed children being sexually abused, highlighting the gravity of Bartlett's actions in fuelling the demand for such horrific material. Despite his background as a well-known figure in the surfing community, having competed at top levels in Britain and Europe and worked as a surfboard shaper, the judge imposed a sentence reflecting the seriousness of the crime while opting for suspension. Bartlett was given an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, meaning he would serve the time only if he reoffends within that period.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Bartlett must complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work to address his behaviour and reintegrate into society. He has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years, subjecting him to ongoing monitoring and restrictions. A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed to limit his access to potential risks and protect the public, particularly children.

The case was handled under the jurisdiction of Devon and Cornwall Police, as indicated by the regional reporting. A spokesperson for the NSPCC in the South West commented on the broader implications, stating: “By downloading and amassing a collection of indecent images, Bartlett has played a part in fuelling a horrific industry. The children in content like this are the victims of child sexual abuse, which can ruin the lives of the youngest members of our society. More needs to be done by technology companies and social network sites to prevent the publication and distribution of materials like this.” This sentencing, reported by ITV News West Country on 20 October 2021, serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for those involved in child sexual exploitation material.