Ex-aide to Labour MP spared jail after downloading indecent images | Politics | News
Conor McGrath, 29, admits having 77 category A photos (Image: Stevenage Borough Council/LDRS)
An old helper workforce MP avoided jail after downloading more than 500 indecent images of children. Conor McGrath (29), was a borough councilor stevenageHe worked for MP Kevin Bonavia in Hertfordshire between 2023 and 2025. He condemned McGrath’s “sickening criminality”.
The defendant was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, April 17; this prison sentence was suspended for two years. admit guilt Three counts of making indecent images of children at a different court last month. He admitted that between June 2024 and March 2025, there were 77 category A images, 109 category B images and 329 category C images and videos.
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Judge Jonathan Mann KC told him: “If you come back to me for these types of offences… I will revoke this order and you will go to prison.”
McGrath, wearing a dark suit and red tie, wiped the corner of his eye as he stood in the dock at the end of his sentence.
The court heard he had lost his political career and felt ashamed for disappointing those who elected him as a councillor.
Police arrested McGrath at his home on March 25 last year on an unrelated matter and seized a number of devices, including an iPhone and iPad.
The court heard that while he was released under investigation he met a colleague in a bar and told them he was worried police would find “vulgar photos” on his devices and think he was a pedophile.
He also told his then-colleague that he had deleted or attempted to delete the images on his devices.
Following the meeting, he was transferred to Scotland Yard’s Parliamentary Diplomatic Protection Command and officers carried out a second search and seizure at McGrath’s home.
Police eventually found indecent images on the iPhone and iPad they seized during the initial search.
David Claxton, defending, said his client felt “genuine remorse” and took it upon himself to begin therapy to understand what motivated him after his childhood trauma.
He said: “One of the aspects of his shame is that he feels like he’s let the people who elected him. That’s something he’s going to have to live with.”
Mr Claxton said McGrath had faced “public embarrassment”, adding: “He has lost the career he had. He has no realistic prospect of continuing to work in politics or anywhere near politics.”
In handing down the sentence, the judge referred to the conclusion of the pre-sentence report, which revealed that McGrath had partial insight into his continuing offending.
After sentencing, Mr Bonavia said: “I am delighted that Conor McGrath has been sentenced today for the truly horrific crimes he committed. “There are no words to describe the horror I felt when I was made aware of this sickening guilt.
“As soon as I became aware of the allegations facing Mr. McGrath, I took immediate action to ensure that this information was brought to the attention of the authorities and he was terminated immediately following his arrest. “I have had no contact with him since.
“My thoughts today are with the victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. We must continue to do all we can to rid our society of this heinous scourge, and anyone found guilty of committing such heinous crimes must face the full force of the law.”
Kevin Bonavia, Labor MP for Stevenage, said he was pleased with McGrath’s sentencing (Image: Crown Copyright)
He thanked the police and the justice system for pursuing the case.
A Labor spokesman said: “It is right that Conor McGrath should be convicted for these heinous crimes.
“The Labor Party took swift action to suspend Mr McGrath as soon as these allegations were brought to our attention. He is no longer a member of the Labor Party.”
Claire Beards, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The volume and nature of the sexually explicit images McGrath collected and stored showed his persistent and unlawful sexual interest in children.
“Some of the images were among the most serious and disturbing images for which a person could be prosecuted. Anyone who downloads, stores or shares indecent images of children is directly contributing to the abuse and exploitation of children.”
“We are determined to work with the police to protect children from sexual harm and prosecute those who commit these terrible crimes.”
As well as receiving a suspended prison sentence, McGrath was also ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
