Indecent Images Solicitor DEMO

Being accused of possessing indecent images is one of the most distressing experiences a person can face. The stigma of these allegations can have a devastating effect on relationships, reputation, and employment, while the risk of imprisonment adds to the anxiety. These cases often involve restrictive bail conditions and social services involvement, making it vital to seek specialist advice at the earliest stage.

Reeds Solicitors specialise in defending indecent image allegations and provide expert, nonjudgmental legal advice. Our team has represented hundreds of clients in cases involving material obtained through file-sharing platforms, messaging apps such as Kik, Discord, Snapchat, and Telegram, online chat rooms, and the dark web. We rigorously challenge the prosecution’s technical evidence wherever possible. Where conviction cannot be avoided, our focus is on securing the most lenient outcome. We understand that issues such as addiction, trauma, or mental health difficulties may play a part, and that neurodivergence or compulsive behaviour can also be relevant. Sexual attraction to children is not always the underlying cause of these offences.

Reed’s Sexual Offences Team are head and shoulders above most firms in this field - first-rate preparation, exceptional grasp of evidential and tactical issues and a real pleasure to work with.

BETH O’REILLY KC, CALLED 1999

Reed’s Sexual Offences Team are head and shoulders above most firms in this field - first-rate preparation, exceptional grasp of evidential and tactical issues and a real pleasure to work with.

BETH O’REILLY KC, CALLED 1999

Reed’s Sexual Offences Team are head and shoulders above most firms in this field - first-rate preparation, exceptional grasp of evidential and tactical issues and a real pleasure to work with.

BETH O’REILLY KC, CALLED 1999

What are Indecent Images?

Indecent images is a criminal offence to make, possess, or distribute indecent images of children under 18. An indecent image is any photograph, video, or computer-generated picture that a reasonable person would consider indecent, including pseudo-photographs and realistic digital material.

In law, ‘making’ includes downloading, saving, or viewing content if this causes a copy to be stored on a device. ‘Distribution’ means sharing or forwarding it, and ‘possession’ means having control of it on any device or storage account.

Defences for Possession of Indecent Images

There are several possible defences of possession to indecent image allegations:

Brief or accidental viewing

The image appeared or was received without being sought, for example through a group chat, spam link, or pop-up, and was deleted immediately, showing no intention to possess or distribute it.

Lack of knowledge

The material was saved automatically or in the background without your awareness, for example when a browser caches images, a messaging app automatically downloads attachments, or photos are backed up to the cloud.

Shared devices

Other people, such as family members, colleagues, or housemates, had access to the same computer, tablet, or phone. It is not always possible to show who downloaded or viewed a file.

Malware or viruses

Harmful software can download or save files without your consent, for example when pop-ups or infected websites create hidden folders or temporary files automatically.

Incorrect categorisation

Police experts sometimes misclassify or overstate the seriousness of an image. We can challenge this via independent forensic analysis and significantly reduce the potential sentence.

Expert Defence Solicitors – Tier 1 of the Legal 500

Our specialist sexual offence team provides clear guidance about the legal process, likely outcomes, and timeframes, always seeking to robustly defend our clients’ interests and challenge the prosecution case where possible.

Our track record includes successfully persuading the police to resolve the matters out of court following early pre-charge representations, securing acquittals where we have shown that evidence was inconclusive, and achieving suspended or community sentences in cases initially assessed as high risk of custody.

Obtaining legal advice at an early stage is crucial. Contact our Indecent Images Solicitors at [email protected] or call 0333 240 7373.