BRANDON WOMAN CLAIRE KELLY ADMITS TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL OFFENSES IN IPSWICH

In July 2020, a woman from Brandon, identified as 36-year-old Claire Kelly, faced serious allegations related to the distribution of indecent images of a child and discussions involving sexual acts with a minor. The case was brought before magistrates in Ipswich, revealing disturbing details about her online activities and the extent of her involvement in child exploitation.

According to court proceedings, Kelly was taken to a hospital on August 21, 2019, after a suicide attempt. During her time there, she disclosed to medical staff that she had sent explicit photographs of a child to a man she had met through the internet. This revelation prompted a police investigation, which led to the seizure of her mobile phone for forensic analysis.

Investigators uncovered chat logs between Kelly and an individual known as ‘Craig Mwah’ on the messaging application Kik. The analysis of her phone revealed that Kelly had exchanged indecent photographs of a child with this man. Furthermore, there was evidence of discussions about involving the child in sexual activities and plans to meet for such purposes. The court heard that Kelly believed she would be compensated financially and offered employment in exchange for the images, a scheme that ultimately fell apart when ‘Craig’ ceased contact after she questioned him about the timing of her supposed reward.

During the hearing, Lucy Miller, the prosecutor, detailed how Kelly believed she was promised a better future, including a job as a personal assistant at ‘Craig’s’ company, in exchange for the explicit images. Kelly admitted to sending the naked photographs but claimed she was persuaded by ‘Craig’ to involve the child in sexual acts. She explained that she initially met ‘Craig’ through the online dating site Plenty of Fish and later communicated with him and another man called ‘Harry’ via Kik. Kelly believed ‘Harry’ was the son of ‘Craig’.

The court was informed that police efforts to trace ‘Craig’ and ‘Harry’ through Kik had been unsuccessful, as the identities of these individuals could not be established. Kelly, who has no prior criminal record, appeared before magistrates and pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including distributing indecent photographs of a child, arranging a child sex offence, and taking indecent photographs of a child.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing. Kelly was granted unconditional bail and is required to sign the sex offenders’ register before her next court appearance. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place at Ipswich Crown Court on a date to be determined.