ALAN PORTER FROM WORTHING SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN PHILIPPINES AND ONLINE CRIMES

In a case that has shocked the community and highlighted the dangers posed by online predators, Alan Porter, a 58-year-old lorry driver from Worthing, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving child abuse and exploitation. The court heard that Porter engaged in a series of disturbing activities that spanned over three decades, including arranging the abduction, drugging, and sexual assault of vulnerable children in the Philippines, as well as participating in online child abuse activities.

Porter’s criminal behavior came to light when a relative discovered incriminating Facebook messages on his phone. These messages revealed that he was actively involved in planning and discussing child abuse, prompting her to report him to the police. The investigation uncovered that Porter had traveled multiple times to the Philippines, a country where he has a Filipino wife and step-daughter, over the past 30 years. His trips were not merely personal visits but were intertwined with his sinister intentions.

The court was informed that Porter had a prior conviction dating back to 1999 for inciting the distribution of indecent images of children. Between 2015 and 2017, he maintained contact with various sources in the Philippines, arranging for children from the streets to be taken and subjected to sexual exploitation during what he referred to as “sex shows” that he watched online. His messages also detailed plans to engage in sexual acts with children during future visits, including a 15-year-old girl whose virginity he was willing to pay £280 for. When asked if he wanted to try sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, Porter responded with a casual “yeah, why not?” and expressed a preference for both young boys and girls, stating “both hehe.”

Porter used the email address [email protected] to communicate his disturbing desires, requesting children with specific physical features to match his preferences. Prosecutor Rachel Beckett highlighted that Porter inquired about the availability of younger children, asking if there were any under 17 or 18. He also sought “rape and drug films,” and transferred small sums of money—sometimes as little as £20—to his contacts in the Philippines, who then sexually abused children and recorded these acts for his viewing pleasure.

The police investigation was initiated after an anonymous letter and a memory card were sent to Durrington Police Station in Worthing on February 17, 2017. The letter detailed Porter’s long history of traveling to the Philippines and included allegations of grooming children as young as seven, as well as plans to drug and rape street children during his upcoming visits. The police began their inquiry, and less than a month later, a relative of Porter’s visited him following the death of his father. During this visit, Porter logged into his Facebook account on his relative’s phone, inadvertently leaving his discussions about child abuse accessible. This evidence prompted further police action.

On April 5, officers executed a search warrant at Porter’s residence on Onslow Drive, Ferring. They discovered several items linked to his criminal activities, including half-packed suitcases filled with chocolate bars and Cadbury’s Creme Eggs, a heavy-duty nylon rope, two alarm clocks, and a coat hanger used to disguise hidden cameras for filming his abuse. The court was told that Porter showed no remorse and refused to accept responsibility for his actions. Judge Tain described him as “immensely dangerous,” emphasizing that his pattern of behavior indicated a high likelihood of reoffending. The judge stated that Porter’s exploitation of the most vulnerable would have devastating, long-lasting effects on victims and future generations.

In court, Porter appeared via video link from Lewes Prison, shrugging and rolling his eyes throughout the proceedings. He pleaded guilty to 17 counts, including inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, paying for sexual services involving a child, and possessing child abuse images. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with an additional seven years on license following his release. The judge also imposed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order to protect others from potential future offenses. This case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes.