In 2016, the Offender Database reported that Jon Forder, then 38, of Southwark Path, Basildon, Essex, was warned to expect a prison sentence after admitting to the possession and distribution of a massive collection of child abuse material. In 2016, Forder appeared at Basildon Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to five charges relating to nearly 3,500 images and videos found on his electronic devices.
The investigation established that Forder used his iPhone and a PC tower to download and store 3,437 illicit files between October 2013 and June 2015. The prosecution reported that the stash included movies and still images of Category A—the most serious level of abuse. Judge David Owen-Jones noted the gravity of the case, highlighting that the victims featured in the material were very young, with one child identified as being only 18 months old.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Forder was not only a collector but also a distributor of the material. He admitted to a fifth count of distributing 131 indecent photographs using his mobile phone over a six-month period. The prosecution, supported by Essex Police, emphasised that the forensic recovery of 122 movies from his phone and 166 movies from his hard drive demonstrated a persistent and calculated interest in child exploitation.
The judge noted that while Forder would receive credit for his guilty pleas, the nature of the material necessitated a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service. The prosecution emphasised that the high volume of Category A images and the act of distribution significantly increased his culpability. For his crimes in South Essex, the court determined that an immediate custodial term was the primary option to address the serious nature of his offending.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
Regarding his crimes in England, Jon Forder was subject to:
- Custodial Status: Remanded for sentencing with a judicial warning to expect imprisonment.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated upon his conviction.
- Convictions: Admitted five counts, including the making (downloading) and distribution of indecent photographs of children.
- Digital Forfeiture: All devices used to store the 3,437 images and movies were seized for destruction.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Forder is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Essex Police and the Probation Service. Due to his history of distributing Category A material and the extremely young age of the victims involved, his management is subject to high-level oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Forder must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his residence in Southwark Path, Basildon, Essex. Authorities state that a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is typically applied in such cases to strictly monitor and restrict internet usage. Any breach of his registration conditions or the terms of his eventual sentence will result in his immediate arrest and return to Basildon Crown Court.
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