MP's aide spared prison over child sex images

A former aide to a Labour MP has avoided a jail sentence after he admitted possessing more than 500 indecent images of children.

Conor McGrath, 29, worked for Stevenage Labour MP Kevin Bonavia and served as a borough councillor in the Hertfordshire town between 2023 and 2025.

He was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.

McGrath, of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, had pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, at Stevenage Magistrates' Court last month. Bonavia said he was "pleased" McGrath had been convicted of "truly appalling crimes".

McGrath admitted making 77 category A images, 109 category B images and 329 category C images and videos, between June 2024 and March 2025.

During sentencing, the court heard the former councillor had lost his political career and felt ashamed he had let down the people who elected him.

Police seized McGrath's devices when he was arrested on 25 March last year, on an unrelated matter.

He told a colleague he was worried police may find "rude photographs" and believe he was a paedophile, the court heard.

After this, his electronics were seized again and police found indecent images on them.

It is understood Bonavia took action to ensure police were informed as soon as he became aware of the allegations, and he has had no contact with McGrath since he resigned from his office.

The Labour MP said: "I am pleased that Conor McGrath has been sentenced for his truly appalling crimes today.

"There aren't words to express the horror I felt upon being made aware of this sickening criminality."

Claire Beards, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The volume and nature of the indecent images that McGrath collected and stored showed his sustained and unlawful sexual interest in children.

"Some of the images were among the most serious and disturbing for which a person can be prosecuted."

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