Doctor had 16,000 child abuse images
AGP’s career lies in tatters after he admitted possessing thousands of indecent images of children.
Armon Daniels, 55, who worked at Rumney Primary Care Centre in Cardiff, had his computer seized by police when they executed a search warrant at his home.
Analysis of the computer and two USB sticks discovered in excess of 16,000 images of children and more than 850 video files.
The doctor previously pleaded guilty at Newport Magistrates’ Court to four offences of possession of indecent images and was committed to Newport Crown Court for sentencing.
Daniels, of Cyncoed Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by a judge yesterday, prosecutors said.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.
Daniels, who has been a doctor for more than 30 years, is currently suspended from practice by the General Medical Council.
ADOCTOR who worked as a GP for nearly 30 years was found to have more than 16,000 indecent images of children on his laptop.
Dr Armon Daniels, 55, who worked at Rumney Primary Care Centre, in Cardiff, was spared an immediate prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing indecent images.
Sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge Thomas Crowther QC described the number of images found on the defendant’s computer as “astonishing”.
The court heard police searched his home in Cyncoed, Cardiff, at 7am on January 19 after receiving intelligence that his IP address had been used to access indecent images.
Robert Goodwin, prosecuting, said he told an officer: “Yes, it’s me. It’s on my laptop. I’ve deleted it now.”
Police seized his laptop and two USB sticks, which were found to contain 16,168 Class C still images and 847 Class C moving images.
The devices were also found to have 106 of the more serious Class B still images and 12 Class B videos.
Prosecutors said Class C images show children in sexual poses, while Class B images show children engaging in sexual activity.
Mr Goodwin said some of the images had been viewed recently, some more than once, a number deleted and others not viewed at all.
Daniels was interviewed twice and replied “no comment” to all questions.
Ali Bajwa QC, defending, said Daniels had shown “exemplary character” and had no previous convictions. He said Daniels had been a practising GP for 29 years, but is no longer practising and is unlikely to work as a doctor again. He had worked at Rumney Primary Care Centre, which is one of the largest GP surgeries in Cardiff.
The defence barrister described the defendant as a “wonderful husband” and “exemplary father”.
Judge Crowther noted the “sheer number” of images involved.
He told the defendant: “That occupation will be lost to you. It is difficult to see how you could have the confidence of any parent to treat their child.”
Daniels was sent to prison for eight months but this was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity, plus 120 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Crowther also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Daniels must pay £500 towards prosecution costs, as well as a victim surcharge.
Judge Crowther told him his file would be sent to the Fitness To Practise Committee of the General Medical Council.
A spokesman for Rumney Primary Care Centre said: “As soon as the partners were made aware of Dr Daniels’ arrest steps were taken to ensure that he did not attend the practice and at no time did he consult with patients.””