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A trans-identified male who was convicted of possessing horrific child abuse material, some of which was in the most severe category, has been spared jail time as the court stated he was “cooperative” during proceedings. Tanya Howes, 66, was a former employee of the Prison Service.
As previously reported by Reduxx, Howes pleaded guilty in May to three counts of “possessing indecent photographs of a child” and a separate charge for possessing 100 “extreme” and “grossly offensive” pornographic images and videos. Of the images in Howes’ possession, 29 were classified as Category C, 17 as Category B, and 39 as Category A, which is the most serious type of child sexual abuse media. Images and video in this category can depict penetrative sexual activity, bestiality, and/or sexual sadism.
The Eastern Daily Press, which referred to Howes by “she/her” pronouns, reported that the Norwich Magistrates Court acknowledged that some of the children in the photos possessed by Howes were being subjected to “horrific acts.”
Despite the severity of the crime, the magistrates decided to allow Howes to remain free in the community as they handed him a 12 month suspended jail term.
In the United Kingdom, a suspended sentence indicates that the offender avoids jail completely and is instead released into the community and expected not to commit another offense within the timeframe of their “sentence.”
Ian Taylor, chair of the bench of magistrates, admitted that Howes’ offenses would “normally attract immediate custody,” but went on to justify the decision by stating: “However, because of the time lag, no reoffending and because probation feel they can rehabilitate you it’s going to be an unusual sentence because we’re going to suspend the sentence.”
Howes was also ordered to carry out up to 30 days’ Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, pay £145 (approx. $184 USD) costs and a £149 (approx. $189 USD) victim surcharge. He was also made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
It is unclear how his conditions will take into account the apparent fact that Howes is currently living in immediate proximity of a children’s park.
In June, Reduxx exclusively spoke with a former victim of Howes, who revealed that he had been living across from a playground after being granted unconditional bail for his offenses.
“The UK justice system is a joke. It is not fit for purpose … [Howes] lives across from a park. There are no bail conditions. So he can go to any parks, see any children. Drug takers will be tagged, but not pedophiles,” the victim, who Reduxx identified as “Jennifer,” stated at the time.
In addition to revealing Howes had been living across from a park, Jennifer informed Reduxx that Howes was a former official with the Prison Service, and had worked in the men’s prison in Norwich in a sensitive position.
Howes had regularly given talks to inmates, and had even represented the Prison Service at Pride parades in the Norwich area.
Howes was reportedly well-known in his community, and often cared for children in the area. Following his charges, Jennifer says Norwich police were inundated with calls from local parents terrified their child had been amongst the abuse imagery — a concern Jennifer shared as she had small children at the time she knew Howes.
But Jennifer says the Police had informed her that the images in Howes’ possession were “first generation.” Child sexual abuse images classified as “first generation” indicate they were materials already in circulation when compared against an official database of known child abuse media, and were not new images produced or obtained by Howes. Classifying images as known or unknown often assists police in tracing the circulation of existing media and differentiating them from new abuse images where unknown victims may exist.
The images in Howes’ possession had reportedly been dated from 2009 to 2020.
“He had a lot of friends who had families. He was well-known in the community,” Jennifer said.
When asked why she felt Howes had been overlooked by police for so long, Jennifer says his gender identity likely played a factor.
“Honestly, probably because no one would dare accuse the trans person. Its too taboo, very much ‘you can’t say that.'”
Jennifer provided Reduxx with her reaction to the sentence, noting that she wasn’t surprised because she already had a lack of faith in the UK justice system.
“They said it was a difficult time in his life? From 2009 to 2020? 11 years is a stretch,” Jennifer said, expressing exasperation with the ordeal. “I’ve had difficult times in my life, and you don’t see me turning into a nonce.”
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