CHRISTIAN BRETT FROM ST LEONARDS ADMITS TO DOWNLOADING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN HOVE COURT

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Christian Brett, a resident of St Leonards, has confessed to the possession and download of indecent images involving minors. The proceedings took place at Hove Crown Court, where Brett-Hazell, aged 32, appeared via a video link, highlighting the challenges and adaptations courts are making in the digital age.

Christian Brett-Hazell, who resides at The Lawn in St Leonards, faced four serious charges related to the possession of explicit images. The court documents detailed that he had downloaded a total of twelve images spanning different categories of severity. Specifically, Brett-Hazell admitted to possessing five Category A images, which are classified as the most severe and disturbing. Additionally, he acknowledged having one image classified as Category B, and six images falling under Category C, indicating a range of explicit content involving minors.

The court heard that these images were downloaded over a period stretching from February 2015 to February 2018. The timeline suggests a prolonged period during which Brett-Hazell engaged in this illegal activity, raising concerns about the extent of his actions and the potential harm involved.

The hearing was marked by an unusual circumstance: Brett-Hazell was unable to attend in person due to circumstances beyond his control. It was revealed that he was in rural Scotland, participating in an expensive driving course for professional development, which prevented his physical presence at the court. Despite this, Judge Christine Laing QC ordered that Brett-Hazell be brought into the proceedings via videolink, demonstrating the flexibility and technological adaptation of the judicial process. Defense barrister Laura Plant was able to connect with him through Facetime, ensuring that his case was heard without delay.

Following the presentation of evidence and arguments, the court decided to adjourn the case to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Judge Laing acknowledged the modern capabilities of technology with a remark emphasizing the convenience of remote communication, stating, “The wonders of modern technology you can even get through to Scotland.” This comment underscored the evolving nature of court proceedings in the digital era, especially in cases involving serious criminal charges such as those faced by Brett-Hazell.