A married couple who appeared to be a typical middle-aged pair working hard in their jobs were secretly a depraved, alcohol and drug-fueled duo who photographed and filmed an underage child, a court has heard.
Couple's Double Life Exposed
Andrew Boyd, 41, and Lara Boyd, 40, were taking 'enormous' amounts of cocaine and drinking 'gallons' of alcohol while surreptitiously taking images of a child they had a 'sexual interest' in, according to the Manchester Evening News. Disgusting WhatsApp chats were discovered as they 'titillated themselves'.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that police were alerted to an indecent image of a child from Andrew's IP address. Officers attended the couple's home and arrested him. Electronic devices including an iPad, iPhone, Playstation 4, and laptop were seized.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
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.
The child wrote a statement saying the Boyds would 'never fully know the effects' the ordeal has had on them, including 'recurring nightmares'. Andrew stared at the floor while Lara sobbed in court.
Defense Arguments
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'. 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', 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'.
