ALEXANDER SHAW OF HEANOR JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN DERBYSHIRE AND DERBY CROWN COURT

In December 2020, Alexander Shaw, a resident of Heanor, was sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing crimes involving the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse images. Shaw appeared before Derby Crown Court on Tuesday, December 22, where he pleaded guilty to ten separate charges related to the possession, downloading, and sharing of over 500 indecent images of minors.

The court was informed that Shaw, aged 28, had engaged in sexual conversations with males he believed to be 15 years old, further highlighting his disturbing behavior. Prosecutor Jonathan Dunne detailed the extent of Shaw’s offenses, revealing that police had seized electronic devices from Shaw’s partner’s home in July 2018. These devices included a laptop and two mobile phones, which contained a significant number of illicit images. An additional mobile phone was also recovered, but forensic experts were unable to unlock it, leaving some evidence inaccessible.

According to Dunne, the images found on Shaw’s devices were categorized into three levels of severity: 118 images classified as Category A, representing the most extreme content; 174 images as Category B; and 255 images as Category C. The police investigation uncovered that Shaw had not only downloaded these images but also shared videos via WhatsApp. However, it remains unclear how many individuals received these videos, as the Crown was unable to establish the full extent of distribution.

During police interviews, Shaw initially admitted to using the internet to view pornography but denied knowingly downloading illegal images. When confronted with the evidence during a subsequent interview, he chose to remain silent, responding with “no comment” to all questions. The court was also told that Shaw had engaged in sexual conversations with males, believing them to be minors.

In sentencing, Recorder Mark Watson emphasized the importance of balancing Shaw’s potential for rehabilitation with the need to protect the public. He sentenced Shaw to two and a half years in prison, noting the seriousness of his offenses. The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which will prohibit Shaw from using any device capable of internet access indefinitely. This measure aims to prevent further offenses and protect potential victims.

Earlier in November 2020, Shaw had already admitted to sharing vile child abuse images, including animal pornography and over 500 images depicting minors being sexually assaulted. He pleaded guilty to making 118 Category A images, which typically depict children being abused by adults, along with 174 Category B images, 255 Category C images, and possessing 11 extreme images involving animals and humans engaged in sexual acts. Shaw also admitted to possessing 22 prohibited images of children and distributing four indecent images of minors. These offenses spanned from April 2016 to July 2018.

Judge Jonathan Bennett had previously granted Shaw bail until his sentencing date, warning him that all options remained open regarding his punishment. The court’s proceedings underscore the gravity of Shaw’s crimes and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and abuse.