R v Darren Hugh Hollywood
[2024] EWCA Crim 591
R v Gregory Hagan
18 July 2024
[2024] EWCA Crim 942
Court of Appeal
A man was given an 18-month prison sentence for having thousands of child abuse images on his phone and computer. He appealed, saying the sentence was too harsh, but the court agreed with the original judge that it was the right punishment given the serious nature of the crime.
Key Facts
- •Gregory Hagan pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
- •He possessed 922 category A, 1009 category B, and 503 category C indecent images of children.
- •The images depicted children aged 2-13, some showing pain or distress.
- •The material included images and videos, some involving animals.
- •Hagan had accessed the images over a period of approximately 15 years.
- •Hagan had a positive pre-sentence report highlighting his role as carer for his disabled brother and past childhood abuse.
- •He received an 18-month immediate custodial sentence with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
- •The sentence included notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and potential inclusion in the Disclosure and Barring Service list.
Legal Principles
Sentencing guidelines for possession of indecent images of children.
Sentencing Council Guidelines
Totality principle in sentencing.
Case law (implied)
Considerations for suspending a sentence.
Sentencing Council Guidelines on the Imposition of Community Orders and Custodial Sentences
Credit for early guilty plea.
Case law (implied)
Outcomes
Appeal dismissed.
The sentence was within the guidelines considering the volume and nature of the indecent images, aggravating factors, and the judge's assessment of the mitigating factors.