In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that 53-year-old Stacey Battensby—who resides between Perranwell Station and St Austell—avoided prison for a third time despite being caught with a “sickening” collection of child abuse material. Battensby appeared at Truro Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and four breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). It was reported that the investigation established Battensby had previously received non-custodial sentences for identical acts of perversion in 2009 and 2010.
The investigation established that during a routine visit by a police offender manager in October 2018, Battensby’s internet history revealed searches for child abuse terms. The prosecution reported that a forensic sweep of his phone uncovered 16 Category A images and six movies, 59 Category B images and five movies, and 681 Category C images. Truro Crown Court heard that the majority of the material depicted children between the ages of seven and ten.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Battensby, a landscape gardener, claimed he had “drifted” from adult pornography to child abuse material over a two-year period. The investigation established that Battensby acted as a carer for his 77-year-old mother and that his fiancé had reportedly “got a grip of him” regarding his offending. The prosecution reported that despite this being his “third strike,” the defence argued for leniency based on his eight-year gap in offending and his current lack of a smartphone or internet access.
Judge-led proceedings at Truro Crown Court concluded with Recorder John Trevaskis handing Battensby a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. For his actions in Cornwall and the repeated breach of court orders, he was also made subject to a new SHPO. The judge noted that while it would be easy to impose a “three strikes and you’re out” policy, he was encouraged by Battensby’s domestic responsibilities and his reported efforts to avoid reoffending since his previous court appearances.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Cornwall and Truro, the status of Stacey Battensby as of April 9, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: NON-CUSTODIAL (12-month suspended sentence; sentenced 2020; supervision period completed).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life (due to multiple convictions).
- SHPO Status: Subject to an INDEFINITE Sexual Harm Prevention Order (Including strict digital monitoring and a total ban on unmonitored internet access).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Making indecent images of children x3; Breach of SHPO x4).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Truro Crown Court; investigated by Devon & Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Three-time offender for child abuse images; Breached court orders four times; Targeted images of children aged 7 to 10; Avoided jail in 2009, 2010, and 2020.
- Origin: Perranwell Station and St Austell, Cornwall.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Battensby is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender within the St Austell area. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “persistent recidivism” and his “failure to comply with previous court orders”—his management is a priority for the Devon & Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his history of “drifting” into illegal material identifies him as an individual who requires the most intensive tier of digital oversight, including regular unannounced forensic inspections of any devices within his household.
As a registered sex offender for life, the 59-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that while he avoided prison in 2020, his status as a “prolific offender” remains a permanent record. Any change of residence in Cornwall or elsewhere, any attempt to acquire a smartphone without police approval, or any unauthorised proximity to children will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who demonstrated a persistent and “repetitive intent” to access child abuse material.
QUESTION – Given that the offender has been caught for the “third time” and breached his SHPO four times, do you believe that “Carer Status” should be legally prohibited from being used as a mitigating factor to avoid prison for repeat sex offenders?
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