Latest news with #Barnfield
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Wales Online
Sad and lonely man created AI images of child abuse using photos of celebrities
Sad and lonely man created AI images of child abuse using photos of celebrities Mark Barnfield, 43, later told police he used the AI images, which depicted children as young as two years old, to 'train himself' not to have a sexual interest in children (Image: Getty Images ) A "sad and lonely" man spent hours a day on his computer generating AI images depicting child abuse by using photographs of real celebrities. He would use the photographs to create graphic images depicting children as young as two years old being sexually abused by adults. Mark Barnfield, 43, of Barry, was arrested after police officers attended his home on February 28 after intelligence was received regarding indecent images of children. He told the officers he had been creating AI images of celebrities and said "I don't give a f*** on the computer, it's my mindset." A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard an ASUS laptop was seized and forensically examined. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. A total of 332 category A images were discovered, as well as 91 category B images, 1,014 category C images and four prohibited images. Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said none of the images depicted real children but were created using AI. The images were so realistic, they were legally categorised as photographs. The children depicted in the images were between two and 14 years old, with the most serious showing female children being vaginally and anally penetrated by adult men. Article continues below Examination of Barnfield's browsing history showed he had been searching for terms including "porn kids incest" and searching for celebrities including actress Emma Stone, using AI to make them appear younger. When the defendant was interviewed, he told officers he created the images himself having "got bored of pornography". He denied having a sexual interest in children and created the AI images to "train himself not to have such an interest". Barnfield, of Spires Walk, later pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing prohibited images of children. The court heard he has four previous convictions, none of which are relevant to the current charges. In mitigation, Andrew Taylor said his client's mother has multiple sclerosis and should he be sent to prison, it would be left for his full-time employed sister to care for her. The barrister described the defendant as a "sad, lonely and vulnerable individual" who "became obsessed" by pornography and making AI images. Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said he recognised no real children were depicted in the AI Images, but added: "This activity can only fuel the disgusting abuse of such children involved in these images". Barnfield was sentenced to a two-year community order and was fined £500. Article continues below He was also made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement of 25 days, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and sex offender notification requirements for five years.
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Barnfield Customs: slowing down menswear in a fast fashion world
There's fast fashion and slow fashion. And then there's really slow fashion, which is where Barnfield Customs comes in. The British menswear brand makes high-end outerwear and knitwear 'for those who value patience, provenance and purpose'. Each year, the Nottingham-based firm launches a selection of 'unique and limited edition' jackets. And with a 12-week wait for orders to arrive (every piece is handmade in England), this is about as far from the idea of instant gratification as it's possible to get. Once a style is sold out, it's gone. But that doesn't seem to be deterring customers. Its Lawrence Jacket, for instance ('developed and perfected' over four years), sold out within 36 hours of going on sale. The current Hampden peacoat is 'in progress' with the company inviting those interested to sign up. Those coats cost around £1,595. Founded by designer Mark Warman in 2020, Barnfield says it 'exists as a quiet defiance against disposability, offering garments that are made to last, worth the wait and rich with story'. So who's actually buying? Warman told that his customers are 'aged between 35 and 55, they're established in their careers. They're deliberate and look for genuine meaning in the products they invest in. With an annual household income that sits comfortably in the £120k–£180k range, they have significant discretionary spending power. They don't chase novelty, have no interest in trends and prefer values-led brands that reflect their own [values], typically buying one or two high-end clothing items per season'. And do they mind the long wait? Apparently not. He added that 'for them, the 12-week wait is a demonstration of quality and authenticity. The anticipation is all part of the joy of ownership'. While he hasn't shared its results (and the last set of micro company accounts available at Companies House give little clue), we have to assume that the business model is economically viable, although perhaps not at scale. Warman told us that 'I'm not chasing scale. In fact, I'm actively avoiding it. I'm building for slow, sustained growth. I fully expect Barnfield to offer repairs to the children of today's customers when they inherit their dad's favourite coat. The business is sustained by genuine connection. I run one-on-one virtual fittings, share behind-the-scenes updates including the missteps, and involve customers in key decisions'. And while scale isn't an objective, he does have over 3,600 people signed up to the email list. 'Around 60% open every message and many reply,' he explained, 'whether they've bought or not, because they feel part of what we're building'. Of course, even such a business as this needs something a little faster and with knitwear (retailing for around £295) held in stock, it 'balances the slower rhythm of our made-to-order coats and supports steady cash flow,' Warman said, while stressing that 'this isn't a trend-led model. It's a deliberate one, designed for longevity. We're not trying to be everything to everyone. We're building for those who get it, and clearly, they do'. But the 12-week wait is the key and is promoted as a virtue rather than a reason for frustration. Warman previously said the wait 'is core to what Barnfield stands for. It's not a gimmick or a marketing tactic – it's a true reflection of the time it takes to produce something of lasting quality. We're not sitting on stock or rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines. The wait is part of the experience – it's an investment in something genuinely meaningful. There's always an element of tension in waiting – especially when we've been conditioned to expect next-day delivery. But for the right customer, that anticipation becomes part of the joy. The people who buy from Barnfield aren't looking for instant gratification'. And in order to keep customers engaged, while each coat is being made, they're kept 'in the loop, showing them what's happening behind the scenes. That sense of anticipation deepens the emotional connection'. Warman said that 'slowing down forces us to ask better questions: why am I buying this? Will I still love it in 10 years? Who made it – and how? That kind of consideration is what makes a product valuable. To me, it's also part of what makes it sustainable. We don't need more things. We need better things'.
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Barnfield Customs: slowing down menswear in a fast fashion world
There's fast fashion and slow fashion. And then there's really slow fashion, which is where Barnfield Customs comes in. The British menswear brand makes high-end outerwear and knitwear 'for those who value patience, provenance and purpose'. Each year, the Nottingham-based firm launches a selection of 'unique and limited edition' jackets. And with a 12-week wait for orders to arrive (every piece is handmade in England), this is about as far from the idea of instant gratification as it's possible to get. Once a style is sold out, it's gone. But that doesn't seem to be deterring customers. Its Lawrence Jacket, for instance ('developed and perfected' over four years), sold out within 36 hours of going on sale. The current Hampden peacoat is 'in progress' with the company inviting those interested to sign up. Those coats cost around £1,595. Founded by designer Mark Warman in 2020, Barnfield says it 'exists as a quiet defiance against disposability, offering garments that are made to last, worth the wait and rich with story'. So who's actually buying? Warman told that his customers are 'aged between 35 and 55, they're established in their careers. They're deliberate and look for genuine meaning in the products they invest in. With an annual household income that sits comfortably in the £120k–£180k range, they have significant discretionary spending power. They don't chase novelty, have no interest in trends and prefer values-led brands that reflect their own [values], typically buying one or two high-end clothing items per season'. And do they mind the long wait? Apparently not. He added that 'for them, the 12-week wait is a demonstration of quality and authenticity. The anticipation is all part of the joy of ownership'. While he hasn't shared its results (and the last set of micro company accounts available at Companies House give little clue), we have to assume that the business model is economically viable, although perhaps not at scale. Warman told us that 'I'm not chasing scale. In fact, I'm actively avoiding it. I'm building for slow, sustained growth. I fully expect Barnfield to offer repairs to the children of today's customers when they inherit their dad's favourite coat. The business is sustained by genuine connection. I run one-on-one virtual fittings, share behind-the-scenes updates including the missteps, and involve customers in key decisions'. And while scale isn't an objective, he does have over 3,600 people signed up to the email list. 'Around 60% open every message and many reply,' he explained, 'whether they've bought or not, because they feel part of what we're building'. Of course, even such a business as this needs something a little faster and with knitwear (retailing for around £295) held in stock, it 'balances the slower rhythm of our made-to-order coats and supports steady cash flow,' Warman said, while stressing that 'this isn't a trend-led model. It's a deliberate one, designed for longevity. We're not trying to be everything to everyone. We're building for those who get it, and clearly, they do'. But the 12-week wait is the key and is promoted as a virtue rather than a reason for frustration. Warman previously said the wait 'is core to what Barnfield stands for. It's not a gimmick or a marketing tactic – it's a true reflection of the time it takes to produce something of lasting quality. We're not sitting on stock or rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines. The wait is part of the experience – it's an investment in something genuinely meaningful. There's always an element of tension in waiting – especially when we've been conditioned to expect next-day delivery. But for the right customer, that anticipation becomes part of the joy. The people who buy from Barnfield aren't looking for instant gratification'. And in order to keep customers engaged, while each coat is being made, they're kept 'in the loop, showing them what's happening behind the scenes. That sense of anticipation deepens the emotional connection'. Warman said that 'slowing down forces us to ask better questions: why am I buying this? Will I still love it in 10 years? Who made it – and how? That kind of consideration is what makes a product valuable. To me, it's also part of what makes it sustainable. We don't need more things. We need better things'.
Sky News
21-03-2025
- Sky News
Heathrow closure latest: First flights to leave tonight announced; No 10 says 'questions to answer' over shutdown
Passengers diverted to Manchester facing long wait for return coach to Heathrow Our North of England correspondent Katie Barnfield is at Manchester Airport, which accepted five diverted flights this morning that were originally heading for Heathrow. Among those are flights travelling from Nairobi, New York and Dubai. Barnfield has spoken to passengers who left the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and were initially told they were heading to Gatwick. They were then diverted to Brussels, where they were held on the asphalt for four hours before flying up to Manchester. Airlines are trying to organise coaches to drive passengers to London, though it appears people could be waiting a while. "One of the drivers of those coaches told me that the airlines have been calling around since 4.30am this morning trying to get as many drivers as they could to come here and pick up those passengers," Barnfield says. "But he said that just weren't enough drivers available. As far as he was aware, nine coaches so far had been sent here to Manchester to pick up those passengers, but people could be waiting for quite a long time." "In terms of a knock-on impact here at Manchester, it's not been too bad at the moment," she adds. "But for those passengers who've been diverted here and suddenly found themselves 200 miles away from where they thought they would be in Heathrow, there is still a bit of a journey for them"
