ANDREW BURTT FROM CRADLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AT SOUTHAMPTON CROWN COURT

In a case that has shocked the local community, Andrew Burtt, a 51-year-old man from Cradley, was brought before Southampton Crown Court in November 2020 to face serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The investigation revealed that Burtt had accumulated a disturbing collection of 4,778 images depicting young children, some as young as two years old, being tied up and subjected to abuse. These images included explicit content involving children between the ages of two and seven, highlighting the severity and depravity of his actions.

Prosecutor Lucie Taylor outlined how Burtt not only possessed these illicit images but also actively shared them through social media platforms, specifically using the Kik messaging app. The court was informed that Burtt had sent and forwarded these images to other users, facilitating the distribution of child exploitation material. This behavior underscored the extent of his involvement in the online abuse network.

The police investigation was initiated after authorities traced the digital footprint back to Burtt. On September 10, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence on Fern Road in Hythe. During the search, they confiscated multiple electronic devices, including a Samsung phone and a memory card, which contained the illicit images and videos. The evidence collected was crucial in establishing his guilt.

In a police interview conducted on January 24 of the following year, Burtt admitted responsibility for downloading the images, although he claimed he was not sexually aroused by children. His admission was a significant development in the case, which had already been built on the substantial digital evidence.

Burtt, who resides on Marram Close in Lymington, appeared before Southampton Crown Court to face charges of making indecent images of children. He had previously pleaded guilty to these offences, which spanned from January 2011 to September 2018. The court heard that his actions were not isolated but part of a prolonged period of offending.

Judge Gary Burrell QC addressed Burtt directly during sentencing, expressing his disbelief and disappointment. The judge remarked, “How on earth you ended up in this situation I do not understand, and I think a lot of people have failed to understand it as well.” He condemned Burtt’s offences as abhorrent and perverted, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The judge added, “It looks like your life is ruined all because you wanted gratification,” highlighting the destructive nature of his actions.

Despite the severity of the offences, Judge Burrell acknowledged that Burtt had taken some steps toward addressing his issues and suggested there was a possibility for rehabilitation. As part of his sentence, Burtt was given a 30-month community order. He is also required to register as a sex offender, complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £450 in court costs. The sentence reflects a balance between punishment and the potential for reform, but the underlying message remains clear: such crimes are taken very seriously by the justice system.