A man from Powys has pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and breaching the conditions of a court-imposed restriction after police located devices concealed at his home in Llandrindod Wells.
Arrest and search
The defendant, aged 53 and living on Ithon Road, was observed using a black Acer laptop in a hotel public area in Llandrindod. Officers subsequently arrested him on suspicion of breaching the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which restricts his possession of internet-enabled devices unless they are notified to police within three days of purchase.
Search teams — including detectives, specialist search officers and a trained digital-detection dog from South Wales Police — conducted a detailed search of the address. The dog located the laptop concealed beneath a kitchen counter inside a removable wooden plinth.
- Devices found: a black Acer laptop, an SD card, and a handheld games console
- Location: Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells
- Police action: arrest, property search, digital forensics
Forensic findings and charges
Forensic examination of the storage media revealed hundreds of indecent images, spanning multiple categories, which prompted further charges. The man admitted to the offences when interviewed by police and also confessed to stealing the games console found during the search.
He is subject to indefinite notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
At a hearing in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 11 July, the defendant pleaded guilty to charges including making indecent images of children, breaching his SHPO and a single count of theft. The press summary states he had prior convictions relating to indecent images, and previous breach convictions while living in Gwent.
Local context and implications
The case underscores two enforcement strands in Powys and neighbouring areas: active monitoring of people subject to sexual-harm restrictions, and the use of specialist resources such as digital-forensic teams and detection dogs to locate concealed digital devices. The SHPO includes an obligation to notify police about acquiring internet-capable devices; failing to do so is itself an offence and can lead to arrest and further investigation.
Residents concerned about offenders known to them should continue to report information to South Wales Police or Dyfed‑Powys Police as appropriate. Such reports enable authorities to check compliance with notification requirements and to investigate suspected breaches.
| Item found | Where located |
|---|---|
| Black Acer laptop | Hidden under kitchen counter (under removable plinth) |
| SD card | Under hallway carpet |
| Hand-held games console | At back of communal mailbox |
The court appearance and the guilty pleas follow earlier convictions for making indecent images of children and later breach offences. The individual remains subject to indefinite notification requirements as part of his sentence history.
Anyone with information about potential offences of this nature can contact the police. Community awareness and reporting are key components in enforcing restrictions placed on those convicted of sexual offences and in protecting children and vulnerable people in Powys.
