Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ex-school governor’s sex with ‘child doll’
He faces jail in landmark case that could help stop vile trade Misleading labels disguise sick imports
A DEPRAVED former school governor and churchwarden faces jail for importing a child sex doll into the UK.
In a landmark case, judge Simon James said the 3ft 10in model was obscene and importing it constituted a crime.
David Turner, 72, admitted the offence and also told police he had sex with another silicon child doll found at his home.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan said: “Importation of child sex dolls is an extremely disturbing new phenomenon and one that needs to be tackled.”
Turner was caught last November after Border Force officers intercepted a parcel labelled “mannequin” at Stansted Airport. The doll inside had a fishnet body stocking.
When National Crime Agency officers raided Turner’s home in Ramsgate, Kent, they discovered an anatomically correct child sex doll he had been using as well as 34,000 sick images.
In June he admitted six counts of possessing indecent images.
A probe found he had viewed online sites selling items such as a “flat chest love doll” and a “mini silicone sex doll, 65cms little breasts”.
In a police interview, Turner said that he preferred to view indecent images of children aged four to 10 and had “secretly” taken photos of young girls in public places.
After his arrest he quit as a governor of St Ethelbert’s Church Primary School in Margate, Kent, and from St Ethelbert’s and Gertrude Church where he was a warden.
Hazel Stewart, of the NCA said of the sex dolls: “Their purchase can indicate other offences, as was the case against Turner who had a sickening stash of images.”
The NCA say 123 of the silicon dolls, some sold on Amazon and ebay, have been seized in the last year.
Jon Brown, of the NSPCC, added: “There is a risk those using these dolls go on to harm children.” Turner was bailed to return to Canterbury crown court on September 8 for sentencing.
CEO OF OF BARNARDO’S
IT is feared hundreds of child sex dolls have been smuggled into the UK.
Officials say traders abroad attach misleading labels to the dolls. This makes it very hard for customs officers to identify illegal orders from paedophiles.
Thousands of legitimate orders for lifelike dolls are placed by shops and artists. The NCA, The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and Border Force launched a joint probe last year.
Border Force officers can seize items they believe are indecent or obscene. Anyone ordering such items can be jailed.
Amazon said: “Sellers must follow our guidelines. Those who don’t will be subject to action.” ebay added: “Items of this nature are prohibited. Our teams conduct regular sweeps to remove any listings that contravene our policies.”