BARRY CHAPMAN FROM ALLOSTOCK ESCAPES JAIL AFTER POSSESSING OVER 80 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN CHESTER

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Barry Chapman, a pensioner residing in Woodlands Park, Allostock, faced charges related to the possession of a substantial collection of indecent images of children. The incident, which came to light after police investigations, revealed that Chapman had accumulated a total of 81 such images, including 56 classified as Category A, 20 as Category B, and five as Category C. These images are categorized based on their severity and explicitness, with Category A representing the most severe level of abuse material.

Chapman, aged 76, appeared before Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, June 22, to answer for these charges. The case had been delayed for over three and a half years before reaching court, a factor that the presiding judge, Steven Everett, emphasized during sentencing. Judge Everett acknowledged that if the case had been prosecuted three years earlier, Chapman might have received a suspended prison sentence. However, due to the significant delay, the court had to consider the circumstances surrounding the case.

Prosecutor Jane Morris provided details of the investigation, stating that police first received information about Chapman’s activities on July 31, 2018. Following this, authorities seized multiple electronic devices from his residence, which was located in Allostock. The investigation revealed that Chapman had searched for and viewed these indecent images at various points between 2006 and 2018. Importantly, there was no evidence to suggest that he had distributed or shared the images with others, which was a factor considered during sentencing.

Judge Everett explained that had the case been dealt with three years earlier, Chapman would likely have been given a suspended sentence. Nevertheless, he highlighted the importance of the delay, noting that Chapman had remained out of trouble during this period. The judge also referenced a probation officer’s report, which indicated that Chapman could be rehabilitated through community-based measures. The officer recommended that no punitive punishment be attached to the community order, considering that Chapman had effectively been under a suspended sentence for the past three years.

As a result, the court imposed a two-year community order on Chapman, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior. Additionally, Chapman is required to sign the sex offenders register for a period of five years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. This case underscores the complexities involved in balancing justice, rehabilitation, and the impact of procedural delays in the criminal justice system.