SEX OFFENDER ANDREW BOTHAM SENTENCED IN SANDABCH FOR MAKING ILLEGAL CHILD IMAGES AND FILMS

In May 2005, Andrew Botham was sentenced to three years imprisonment after he admitted traveling to multiple towns, including Middlewich, to produce offensive films involving young girls.

When police conducted a search at Botham's home in Sterne Close, Elworth, Sandbach, they discovered nearly 100 indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to 22 counts related to creating or possessing unlawful images of minors, with offences dating back to 1990.

During the hearing at Chester Crown Court, the prosecution's lawyer Merion Lewis-Jones stated that Botham had downloaded video files from a website that provided content depicting children engaged in sexual acts.

Additionally, Botham traveled to Middlewich armed with a camcorder hidden in a bag held at waist level. There, he recorded images of young girls’ legs and underwear. He kept a diary that included descriptions of what he observed, with entries such as 'Middlewich, three girls in the street, two outside Dillons.'

His defense attorney, Patrick Thompson, expressed concern over the potential prison sentence, emphasizing that Botham had no previous criminal record and highlighting the stigma associated with these offences. "The prospect of going to prison for him – who has never been before the court for anything before, and because of the stigma attached to these offences – is a terrifying prospect indeed," Thompson said.

As a result of his convictions, Botham has been placed on the sex offenders' register, is prohibited from working with children, and will serve a minimum of 18 months in custody. Upon release, he will be subject to supervision by probation authorities.