ANDREW MELBOURNE FROM POULTON LE FYLDE AND SWADLINCOTE SPARED JAIL FOR INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

In a case that has drawn significant attention, 61-year-old Andrew Melbourne, a resident of Blackpool Old Road in Poulton le Fylde, appeared before Chester Crown Court to face charges related to the possession of indecent images and videos involving very young children in distress. The court proceedings revealed that Melbourne had been engaging with such material for a period of at least ten months before authorities intervened.

The investigation was initiated after Cheshire Police executed a search warrant at Melbourne's then residence on Bradshaw Lane in Grappenhall. During the search, law enforcement officials discovered a laptop that was still plugged in, containing approximately 413 images. Among these, 17 were classified in the most serious category, indicating extreme content involving children in distress. The court heard that Melbourne’s online activity included searches that suggested he was seeking specific types of material, with some search terms explicitly indicating an intent to find indecent images of children.

Prosecutor Peter Hussey explained that Melbourne claimed his motivation was to seek some form of sexual stimulation, asserting that he was not deriving gratification from the material itself. However, the nature of his searches and the content found on his device made it clear that he had discovered and was viewing images depicting children in distress. The court noted that one of the images showed a child experiencing apparent pain or distress, which was considered an aggravating factor in the case.

During sentencing, Judge Roger Dutton acknowledged the severity of the offences committed by Melbourne. He stated, “You have committed serious offences. It’s clear to me that at least in part some of that material related to very young children.” The judge also recognized Melbourne’s previous good character, noting that he had been a person of positive standing prior to this incident. Despite this, Judge Dutton emphasized that Melbourne’s life would be significantly different moving forward and expressed confidence that the risk of reoffending was low.

Given the circumstances, the judge decided against sending Melbourne to prison. Instead, he was handed a two-year suspended sentence, accompanied by a supervision order and a financial penalty of £425 to cover costs. The court’s decision reflects a balance between acknowledging the seriousness of the offences and considering Melbourne’s personal circumstances and potential for rehabilitation.