ALARIC FITCH FROM ROYSTON AND SAFFRON WALDEN JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In August 2010, a man from Royston and Saffron Walden was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children. The individual, identified as Alaric Fitch, was arrested following a disturbing discovery made by his wife, who uncovered the illicit material on a disc stored in his desk. This discovery prompted her to contact law enforcement authorities, leading to Fitch's subsequent arrest and prosecution.

Alaric Fitch, aged 44 and residing on Melbourn Road in Royston, faced multiple charges related to child exploitation. He admitted to 15 counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, along with a single charge of possessing a total of 349 indecent images of children. The severity of these offenses was underscored during the court proceedings, which took place at Chelmsford Crown Court.

According to the prosecution, Fitch's wife found two CDs in his desk while she was searching for mortgage documents in the lead-up to their divorce. The CDs were stored in an envelope that bore explicit labels describing sexual acts involving young girls, which added to the evidence against him. Following her discovery, police were called, and officers visited the couple’s former residence in Saffron Walden to seize electronic devices, including computers and storage media.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered that Fitch possessed over 300 indecent images of children. The images were classified on a police five-point scale of obscenity, with two images rated at level five—the most serious—and 183 at level four. Among the material found, one image was described by the judge as “particularly abhorrent,” highlighting the disturbing nature of the content.

In his defense, Fitch’s legal representative, Christine Laing, explained that the defendant had been suffering from clinical depression since his marriage began to deteriorate in 2001. She stated that this mental health struggle contributed to his actions, which included viewing and storing child pornography on CD-ROMs. Laing emphasized that Fitch was unable to fully explain his behavior and expressed remorse, acknowledging that his depression and alcohol consumption played roles in his offending.

Judge Rodger Hayward Smith QC addressed Fitch directly during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes. He remarked that the images found in Fitch’s possession were “particularly abhorrent” and underscored the broader implications of such offenses. The judge explained that every photograph depicting a child in a sexual context represents a serious violation and abuse of that child’s physical, emotional, and sexual well-being. He further stated that individuals who download such material contribute to a market that perpetuates ongoing abuse.

Concluding the hearing, Judge Smith sentenced Fitch to eight months in prison. He also ordered that Fitch serve a three-year period of supervised release, or licence, following his release from incarceration. The judge’s comments reinforced the message that such offenses are among the most serious and warrant immediate imprisonment to protect society and prevent further harm.