CHRISTOPHER HART OF BRANT BROUGHTON JAILED FOR SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CRIMES IN LINCOLN

In December 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Christopher Hart, a 72-year-old man from Brant Broughton, who was ultimately sentenced to three and a half years in prison after a detailed investigation uncovered his extensive collection of illegal images of children. The police discovered that Hart had been secretly storing and cataloging these illicit images on his computer over a span of 13 years, employing sophisticated encryption software to conceal his activities from detection.

Hart’s collection was staggering, containing more than 85,000 images, including both still photographs and videos. Among these, over 2,000 were classified in the most severe category of A, indicating the images depicted children as young as two years old in explicit and abusive scenarios. The sheer volume and disturbing nature of the material prompted serious concern from the court and law enforcement officials alike.

During the proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court, it was revealed that Hart suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, which appeared to have contributed to his obsessive collection and meticulous cataloging of the illicit images. His actions spanned over a decade, during which he maintained detailed records of his collection, reflecting a disturbing level of premeditation and fixation.

Hart, who now resides at Robinson Place in Brant Broughton, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possessing indecent images of children, making indecent images, and possessing prohibited images. The court was informed of the extensive police investigation that led to his arrest, which was described by Judge Andrew Easteal as a tireless effort. The police had initially searched Hart’s former residence in Cranwell in December 2015, uncovering the vast collection and initiating the legal proceedings.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Easteal emphasized the gravity of the case, noting the extraordinary volume of illegal material accumulated by Hart. He made it clear that individuals who view such images are not passive consumers; their activity directly fuels the ongoing abuse and exploitation of children. The judge stated, “The total volume comes to 85,710 moving or still images, all of them unlawful – many of them depicting very young children.”

As part of his sentence, Hart was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, underscoring the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.