CHRISTOPHER DEAVILLE SENTENCED IN LONGTON FOR CHILD SEXUAL IMAGE OFFENSES

Christopher Deaville, a 34-year-old resident of Longton, was found guilty of possessing a significant collection of indecent images depicting children being sexually abused. The police investigation revealed that Deaville had accumulated nearly two hundred and fifty such images, which included graphic photographs of young girls aged between three and eleven years old being assaulted by adults. These disturbing images were part of a broader collection that also contained extreme pornography, including videos and pictures involving animals, such as a woman engaging in sexual acts with a dog and a horse.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Deaville’s residence on Edensor Terrace in Longton, acting on intelligence that suggested he was in possession of illegal material. During the search, officers seized his black tower computer, which was found to contain a vast array of indecent images. The material was dated from October 2, 2019, to February 11, 2020, and included 25 still images and 123 videos classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of child exploitation material. These images depicted prepubescent girls, with additional content falling into Categories B and C, which involve less severe but still illegal material. The police also discovered extreme moving images involving animals, highlighting the disturbing nature of Deaville’s collection.

During police interviews, Deaville admitted to viewing such images for approximately 15 to 18 years. He estimated that he might have possessed around 100 images, but he claimed that he did not derive sexual gratification from viewing them. He explained that his collection was deliberate, with a specific focus on searching for images of young children, which indicated a demand-driven exploitation of vulnerable victims. Prosecutor Peter McCartney detailed how the collection involved the exploitation of minors and emphasized the seriousness of the offenses.

Deaville appeared before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where Judge David Fletcher addressed the court. While acknowledging the gravity of the crimes, the judge expressed a belief in the potential for rehabilitation. As a result, Deaville was sentenced to an 18-month community order. Additionally, he was placed under a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and required to register as a sex offender for the same period. The court also mandated that Deaville undertake 30 days of rehabilitation activities and complete 140 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,200.

Judge Fletcher remarked on the defendant’s awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions, stating, “You knew what you were doing was wrong. You have expressed remorse for it but you succumbed at regular intervals to the urges that led you to download this sort of material.” The judge highlighted that the images involved children aged three to eleven, with some depicting extreme acts involving animals. He characterized Deaville’s behavior as a demand-driven exploitation of victims, underscoring the serious harm caused by such offenses. Despite acknowledging his misconduct, the court’s decision reflected a balance between punishment and the opportunity for Deaville to seek support and reform, with the understanding that there remains a possibility for rehabilitation over the coming years.