In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Donovan Stevenson, 37, of Renaissance Gardens, Plymouth, Devon, was jailed for more than six years for a “vile” and “vicious” series of offences involving horrific child abuse images and the brutal assault of his pregnant partner. Stevenson appeared at Plymouth Crown Court today, Friday 16 January 2026, where Judge Robert Linford condemned his “perverted and repulsive interest in children as sex objects.”
The investigation into Stevenson’s digital behaviour revealed Category A images depicting the “savage abuse” and rape of real children as young as two years old. Judge Linford emphasised that these were not computer-generated, but involved “real children being savagely abused” for sexual gratification. The court heard that Stevenson “dishonestly” denied these offences during his initial 2020 interview and continued to possess such “vile” material while on bail for other crimes.
Brutal Domestic Violence and Strangulation
While under investigation for the “depraved” child images, Stevenson “callously” attacked his pregnant partner in 2023. During an argument over a mobile phone, he threw the device at her, hitting her in the back. When she fell, Stevenson “viciously” grabbed her by the hair and repeatedly banged her head against the floor. He ignored her pleas for mercy, threatening to kill both her and her unborn baby.
The violence escalated on 30 January 2023, when Stevenson strangled the victim so hard that she “thought she was going to die.” The court reported that he further harassed her with threats of violence and “cynically manipulated the court system” by delaying his guilty pleas until the last possible moment. He also absconded from court twice during the legal process.
Sentence and Public Protection
Judge Linford emphasised that Stevenson’s actions “repulsed right-minded members of the public.” For the combined offences of actual bodily harm, strangulation, harassment, and possession of indecent images, Stevenson was sentenced to a total of six years, three months, and 28 days in prison.
- The court also imposed the following protective measures:
- A 10-year Restraining Order prohibiting any contact with the woman he assaulted.
- A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his future behaviour and digital access.
- 10 years of registration on the Sex Offenders Register.
As a result of his “serious” and “vile” criminal history, Donovan Stevenson will be managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Devon & Cornwall Police. This ensures his activities in Plymouth and the surrounding areas are strictly monitored upon his eventual release. Any breach of his SHPO or restraining order will result in his immediate arrest and return to custody.
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