DEEPLY ASHAMED' SEX OFFENDER WHO SAID YOUNG GIRLS 'TURN ME ON' IS JAILED
An online predator involved in distributing disturbing images of children to 374 members of illicit internet groups was apprehended when he began communicating anonymously with a decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl.During online exchanges, Andrew Whitelam, 39, from Sutton Park, Hull, expressed his attraction to young girls by stating that they 'turn me on so much' and boasted about possessing a large collection of child abuse images, Hull Crown Court was told.
Whitelam pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor and to encouraging a child to observe sexual acts, with the incidents occurring between April 20 and May 4, 2023.
He also admitted to distributing and creating indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, and holding forbidden images of minors.
Prosecutor Stephen Welch explained that Whitelam had an online conversation with a decoy girl, age 13, during which he repeatedly shared highly sexualized images and a video depicting sexual conduct.
He sought photos of the girl and made his desire for sexual contact explicit.
He was taken into custody at his home on July 14, 2023, and authorities confiscated his mobile phone along with other devices.
Investigators discovered 114 Category A images and 209 videos of children deemed the most serious, along with 54 images and 86 videos in Category B, plus 356 images and 42 videos labeled Category C.
The collection also included 21 prohibited images, one illicit video, 11 extreme pornography videos involving bestiality, and 16 videos overall.
Additionally, Whitelam had shared 143 images of children—including 49 in Category A—with 374 individuals across various online groups.
Police found evidence of four conversations with girls aged 14, 13, and 11, although no charges were brought concerning these chats.
One of the chatrooms bore the name 'School girls ready to love.' Whitelam openly stated, 'They turn me on so much,' and engaged in grooming behavior.
The defendant had no prior convictions.
In mitigation, Catherine Silverton noted that Whitelam completed a behavior modification course and funded an additional seven months of therapy, making significant progress.
She explained that his commitment to changing was clear, and a prison term could hinder his rehabilitation by exposing him to other drug users, which would be counterproductive.
Ms.
Silverton emphasized the gravity of the crimes but highlighted his remorse and efforts to reform.
She stated that Whitelam was genuinely horrified and ashamed of his actions, acknowledging his sole responsibility and his process of remorse.
Since the offences, Whitelam had no further incidents and was clear of his previous drug addiction.
He worked as a joiner.
Judge Alexander Menary described the offenses as extremely serious, citing their quantity and nature, and concluded that a community order was inadequate.
Whitelam, who had been on bail, was sentenced to two years and five months in prison, issued a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, and mandated to register as a sex offender for a decade.
