Ex-Councillor Caught with 500+ Child Abuse Images Avoids Jail Conor McGrath, 29, a former Stevenage borough councillor and aide to Labour MP Kevin Bonavia, has dodged immediate prison despite being found with over 500 indecent images of children. At St Albans Crown Court on Friday, he was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for two years.
Horrific Image Haul Spanning 10 Months
McGrath pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The disturbing stash was downloaded between June 2024 and March 2025 and included:
- 77 images at the most serious Category A level
- 109 Category B images
- 329 Category C images and videos
Police Snared McGrath After Pub Slip-Up
Originally arrested last March for an unrelated issue, officers seized McGrath’s iPhone and iPad. After his release, he confessed to a pub pal that he feared police might discover “rude photographs” and brand him a paedophile. The tip-off led to a second search of his home. This search uncovered the child abuse material on the devices initially taken by police.
Judge Issues Stark Warning
“If you find your way back to me for offences of this type… I will revoke that order and off to prison you will go,” Judge Jonathan Mann KC told McGrath.
The Crown Prosecution Service blasted McGrath’s “sustained and unlawful sexual interest in children,” calling some material “among the most serious and disturbing for which a person can be prosecuted.”
Career Ruined, Rehab Underway
McGrath’s defence lawyer said his client is ashamed and had started therapy for childhood trauma linked to his behaviour. His political career is over. MP Kevin Bonavia said he acted immediately to sack McGrath and inform authorities after hearing the allegations. “There aren’t words to express the horror I felt,” Bonavia said, offering sympathy to victims and survivors. The Labour Party suspended McGrath as soon as possible, confirming he is no longer a member.
Community Sentence Plus Ten Years on Sexual Harm Order
Along with the suspended jail term, McGrath must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activity. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.
