PORTSMOUTH PAEDOPHILE BRIAN STRETTON ESCAPES PRISON AFTER VIEWING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES ONLINE

In a case that has shocked the Portsmouth community, 65-year-old Brian Stretton was found to have accessed and viewed indecent images of children through online platforms, yet he narrowly avoided a custodial sentence. The investigation was initiated when Essex police traced a website from which Stretton had been downloading these illicit images, leading to his eventual arrest and prosecution.

During the proceedings at Portsmouth Crown Court, it was revealed that among the images discovered on Stretton’s device, one depicted a child approximately eight years old, while another was of a child around ten years old. In addition to these, police uncovered a disturbing collection of 200 photographs showcasing extreme pornography, including content involving bestiality, on his laptop. The severity of the material found underscored the gravity of the case.

Prosecutor Tammy Mears stated that Stretton only admitted his guilt after police confronted him with evidence extracted from his laptop. Initially, he claimed that his viewing of the images was driven by curiosity rather than any sexual intent. The court was informed that his interest in such material reportedly began after he engaged in online conversations with young girls, which appeared to have prompted his searches for these illicit images. The judge, Roger Hetherington, noted that police had already issued warnings to the families of the children involved, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding the case.

Defence lawyer Simon Moger described Stretton as a man motivated by a mixture of curiosity, naivety, and a latent interest in the sexual content of the images. He emphasized that Stretton, who has no previous criminal record, was a vulnerable individual who had spent years avoiding health and mental health issues. Moger also pointed out that the defendant had become increasingly lonely and depressed following the breakdown of his marriage, which contributed to his actions. The lawyer further argued that Stretton was at risk of losing his home if he were to be imprisoned.

Stretton pleaded guilty to eight counts of possessing indecent images of children and also admitted to four counts of viewing extreme pornography involving bestiality, which he had accessed on November 26. The court heard that his actions were driven by personal vulnerabilities rather than malicious intent.

In sentencing, Judge Hetherington opted for a lenient approach, imposing a three-year suspended prison sentence on Stretton, who resides on Wingfield Street, Buckland, Portsmouth. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in Sex Offenders’ Treatment Programmes and placed under supervision for three years. As part of his sentence, Stretton was also required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register, with his name remaining on the register for five years. The judge’s decision reflects a recognition of the complexities surrounding the case, balancing the seriousness of the offences with the defendant’s personal circumstances.