Dentist pleads guilty to ‘pain porn’

A man in Dorset has pled guilty to possessing several extreme images and videos of acts that, so far as we are aware, were exclusively conducted by consenting adults. It is far from clear that the images satisfied the real definition of extreme pornography (merely painful activites are not covered and images must be produced for the purpose of sexual arousal).

As in previous cases that involve extreme porn charges exclusively, it appears the man is considered to be of otherwise good character, to have conducted himself well in the community (even devoting time to charity), and to have a successful career. It seems unfortunate that such an individual has been punished for his alternative sexual interests. Indeed, it appears he downloaded some of these images in order to educate himself about participating in some of these (often perfectly legal) activities, which in any other circumstances would be considered a sensible course of action.

Jane Fae has more on the implications of this and other cases. It is worth remembering that Backlash can put individuals charged with possession of extreme pornography in contact with expert legal advice and has contributed to having a poorly founded charge dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in recent weeks. However, any advice or support is likely to be more effective at the outset of a criminal investigation and court case.