In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Simon Church, 41, of Hall Road, St Dennis, near St Austell, Cornwall, had avoided a return to prison despite being found guilty of further “vile” child sex offences. Church, who was previously jailed in 2018 for downloading “horrendous” images of babies being raped, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday, 9 January 2026, for breaching his existing restrictions.
The investigation was triggered during an impromptu visit by Devon and Cornwall Police to Church’s home. Officers seized his phone and discovered illegal encryption software designed to bypass his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). This software allowed him to receive “vile” emails, including one from an individual named “Andy” asking if Church “likes little girls showing their panties,” accompanied by close-up images of a child aged between six and nine.
Dishonest Denials and Lack of Remorse
Throughout the legal process, Church “dishonestly” maintained his innocence, “callously” attempting to shift the blame onto others. He claimed the “sick” images must have been sent by mistake or planted on his device by an ex-partner “out of revenge” or by “someone from work.” Despite these claims, a jury found him guilty of three charges of making indecent images of children and one count of breaching his 10-year SHPO.
His barrister, Matthew Mortimer, emphasised that Church is an “isolated figure” with autism and that a return to custody would be difficult for him. The court also heard that Church acts as a carer for his brother, who has cerebral palsy. The defence argued that prison “had not shown to work” for Church and that community-based rehabilitation would be more effective in addressing the “root of the offending.”
Suspended Sentence and Strict Monitoring
His Honour Judge James Adkin reported that while the case was aggravated by Church’s previous convictions and his attempts to blame his ex-partner, he would suspend the sentence to allow for specialist intervention. Church was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete:
- 180 hours of unpaid work.
- 28 sessions of a specialist sex offender programme.
- 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.
- A new 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
As a result of his “vicious” and persistent behaviour, Simon Church remains on the Sex Offenders Register. He is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Devon and Cornwall Police, ensuring his digital activities in St Dennis, St Austell, and the wider Cornwall area are under “serious” and constant scrutiny. Any further “vile” breaches or attempts to access prohibited material will result in his immediate arrest and the activation of his prison sentence.
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