BRIAN HEWITT FROM ALVASTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES IN DERBY

In April 2013, a man named Brian Hewitt, aged 55 and residing in Jefferson Place, Alvaston, found himself at the center of a serious legal case involving child abuse images. Hewitt was subjected to a thorough investigation after authorities uncovered evidence of his involvement with indecent material, leading to significant legal repercussions.

Hewitt had previously been monitored by Derbyshire police under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which allowed law enforcement to conduct regular checks on his computer activity due to prior offences. Despite this oversight, new evidence emerged indicating that Hewitt had engaged in viewing and handling illegal images once again. The police, acting on information provided by the probation service, conducted a detailed examination of his computer system.

During the investigation, officers seized Hewitt’s computer and discovered that a total of 157 pornographic images had been deleted from the hard drive. The investigation revealed that these images were searched for online, downloaded, and then swiftly erased within a span of just one hour. This pattern of activity raised serious concerns about Hewitt’s ongoing involvement with illegal material.

Hewitt was brought before Derby Crown Court, where he admitted to breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order and to possessing indecent images. During the court proceedings, Christopher Gabbitas, the prosecutor, explained that Hewitt had been monitored because of his previous convictions. Hewitt claimed that he was researching family history at the time and insisted that another individual had access to his computer. Hewitt maintained that this other person only used the device when he was present, attempting to shift responsibility.

In mitigation, Clive Stockwell argued that Hewitt’s possession of the images was limited to a single day, specifically one hour and nine minutes of viewing. Stockwell emphasized that Hewitt did not attempt to store the images but merely viewed and deleted them, suggesting that his actions were not part of a sustained or malicious pattern. He also pointed out that this incident was the only breach during a three-year period under the existing order.

Judge David Mason sentenced Hewitt to a 15-month prison term, suspended for two years. Additionally, Hewitt was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a new sexual offences prevention order. This new order grants police continued authority to monitor Hewitt’s internet activity and explicitly prohibits him from possessing any equipment that could be used to delete or obscure his computer history.

The judge emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “It is strict and rightly so. Just stay away from these images. You must engage with probation. You have a problem which needs sorting out still, and that is the way to do it. If you commit further offences, particularly of this type, you will be brought back and will inevitably go down the steps.” The court’s decision underscores the ongoing concern about individuals involved in such illegal activities and the importance of strict enforcement and monitoring to prevent future offences.