Leon Barrie Shinkwin

A man from Powys has avoided immediate imprisonment after pleading guilty to child sex offences involving prohibited images. Leon Barrie Shinkwin, aged 34, from Bronllys near Brecon, appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court this week, where he was handed a 10-month custodial sentence that was suspended for two years.

Shinkwin initially denied the charges against him, with his case set for trial. However, on 29 March, he entered guilty pleas to all four offences. These included making 16 indecent images of children and possessing 73 prohibited images of children between 1 April 2019 and 8 May 2021. Additionally, he admitted to possessing one image of an extreme pornographic nature involving an animal during the same period. The fourth charge related to breaching a sexual harm prevention order imposed by Merthyr Crown Court in December 2017, specifically by deleting his internet history between 3 November 2020 and 10 March 2021.

As part of the sentencing, Shinkwin must register as a sex offender for 10 years and will be subject to a new sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. The court took into account his admissions and the context of the prior order in determining the suspended sentence. This case was reported by the County Times, highlighting ongoing efforts to address child sexual exploitation in the region.