A seemingly ordinary married couple from Tameside have been jailed after sickening WhatsApp messages exposed their depraved secret. Andrew Boyd, 41, and Lara Boyd, 40, appeared to the outside world as a 'middle-aged couple working hard in their employment', but in reality they were taking enormous amounts of cocaine, drinking heavily, and secretly taking indecent images of a child they had a sexual interest in.
Police Investigation and Discovery
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that officers were alerted to an indecent image of a child traced to Andrew's IP address. Police attended the couple's home and arrested Andrew. Electronic devices including an iPad, iPhone, Playstation 4, and laptop were seized. Andrew admitted he had spoken to people on the messaging app Kik on 'topics of a sexual nature' but denied sharing images of children.
Officers uncovered indecent images of a child 'clearly taken without any form of knowledge or consent'. WhatsApp messages revealed the child was the subject of their 'sexual appetite'. The images were shared only between the couple, who were both later arrested.
Charges and Guilty Pleas
Andrew Boyd pleaded guilty to voyeurism; publishing an obscene article; two counts of making indecent images of children; two counts of distributing indecent images of children; and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Lara Boyd admitted voyeurism; publishing an obscene article; and two counts of making indecent images of children. They were both jailed for two years.
Victim Impact Statement
The child penned a statement saying the Boyds would 'never fully know the effects' the ordeal has had on them, adding they have 'recurring nightmares'. During the hearing, Andrew sat staring at the floor while Lara sobbed.
Defence Statements
Saul Brody, representing Andrew, said he 'sank into the mire of alcohol and drug fuelled depravity'. 'Disinhibited' by booze and cocaine, his client began accessing pornography, which led to an 'unhealthy interest in more taboo and extreme areas'. Mr Brody described the messages between the couple as 'revolting' but said Andrew is now sober and a 'very different person'.
Lara is 'thoroughly ashamed', barrister Ellie Akhgar said, adding: 'She knows this is quite the fall from grace. The commission of these offences are, and will be, the greatest regret of her life, and she accepts they should be.' Lara has stopped taking drugs and now 'rarely' drinks. The couple's relationship is 'complex', the court heard, with Lara having been 'subject to bouts of domestic violence at the hands of Andrew'. They remain together.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Tina Landale said it was an 'extremely serious' case and that the impact on the victim has been 'severe'.
