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| Graham Ovenden: Investigation into 'identifying of abuse victims' | Graham Ovenden: Investigation into 'identifying of abuse victims' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A Cornwall artist, who walked free from court after being convicted of child sex offences, is being investigated for allegedly identifying victims, the BBC has learnt. | A Cornwall artist, who walked free from court after being convicted of child sex offences, is being investigated for allegedly identifying victims, the BBC has learnt. |
| Graham Ovenden, 70, was given a suspended sentence for seven offences earlier this year. | |
| The Metropolitan Police are investigating whether he identified victims after they gave evidence. | |
| The law protects victims of sexual offences with lifetime anonymity. | The law protects victims of sexual offences with lifetime anonymity. |
| 'Severely tarnished reputation' | 'Severely tarnished reputation' |
| Ovenden, of Bodmin Moor, was convicted at Truro Crown Court in April of six counts of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault. | Ovenden, of Bodmin Moor, was convicted at Truro Crown Court in April of six counts of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault. |
| The offences dated back to the 1970s and 80s. | The offences dated back to the 1970s and 80s. |
| Passing sentence at Plymouth Crown Court in June, Judge Graham Cottle, described Ovenden's crimes as "truly disgusting". | Passing sentence at Plymouth Crown Court in June, Judge Graham Cottle, described Ovenden's crimes as "truly disgusting". |
| But, after a long period of consideration, he gave Ovenden a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. | But, after a long period of consideration, he gave Ovenden a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. |
| The judge told the court the sentencing was a difficult exercise. | The judge told the court the sentencing was a difficult exercise. |
| He said he had to take into account the gravity and impact of Ovenden's crimes; but also his age, health and self-inflicted punishment, such as his now "severely tarnished" reputation. | He said he had to take into account the gravity and impact of Ovenden's crimes; but also his age, health and self-inflicted punishment, such as his now "severely tarnished" reputation. |
| The suspended sentence caused anger and was strongly criticised by child protection groups. | The suspended sentence caused anger and was strongly criticised by child protection groups. |
| The Attorney General has been reviewing whether the sentence was too lenient. | The Attorney General has been reviewing whether the sentence was too lenient. |
| A spokesman for his office said a decision would be announced on Tuesday. | A spokesman for his office said a decision would be announced on Tuesday. |
| If the sentence is deemed too lenient, the case will be sent to the Court of Appeal, where a panel of three judges will decide whether it should be increased. | If the sentence is deemed too lenient, the case will be sent to the Court of Appeal, where a panel of three judges will decide whether it should be increased. |
| Sexual offence victims get automatic lifetime anonymity unless they waive it themselves. | Sexual offence victims get automatic lifetime anonymity unless they waive it themselves. |
| Ovenden has had work exhibited in galleries across the world. | Ovenden has had work exhibited in galleries across the world. |
| Thirty-four prints by the artist were removed from the Tate Gallery's online collection following his conviction. | Thirty-four prints by the artist were removed from the Tate Gallery's online collection following his conviction. |