CLIFF BUTLER'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN WORCESTER REACHES COURT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Worcester community, Cliff Butler, a resident of Primrose Crescent in the St Peter’s area, has been found in possession of an extensive collection of indecent images depicting children. The case, which has garnered significant attention, reveals that Butler was involved in the downloading and possession of thousands of illicit images over a period spanning from January 2019 to January 2021.

At his recent court appearance, Butler, aged 46, faced serious charges related to the creation and distribution of child abuse material. He admitted to making a total of 2,046 indecent images and videos, with a particular focus on the most severe category, Category A, which includes images of children as young as 12 months old being subjected to sexual abuse, including acts of rape. The images also depicted children aged up to 15 years, some of whom appeared to be in obvious pain or distress, highlighting the severity and depravity of the material he possessed.

His arrest and subsequent court proceedings followed an investigation that uncovered his extensive online activity. Prosecutor Aleigha Adams detailed that the images included children in various states of suffering, some in discernible pain, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the content. She also pointed out that Butler had a prior conviction for a similar offense and had previously breached notification requirements associated with a sexual harm prevention order, which is designed to restrict offenders’ internet use and contact with minors.

During the hearing at Worcester Magistrates’ Court, Butler appeared dressed in grey jogging bottoms and was wearing a Covid mask exemption lanyard. When asked to enter his plea, he responded simply with “Guilty, yeah, yeah.” The court was informed that he had downloaded these images over a two-year period, and that he had previously been convicted of a related offense, which underscores a pattern of concerning behavior.

Prosecutor Adams highlighted the gravity of the case, stating that the images ranged from infants to teenagers, some in distress, and that the magistrates lacked the sentencing powers to adequately address the severity of the crime. As a result, the case was committed to the Crown Court for further sentencing consideration.

In the subsequent proceedings at Hereford Crown Court, Judge Martin Jackson imposed a series of stringent measures. Butler was ordered to re-register as a sex offender immediately upon leaving the court and was placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he was required to remain on the sex offender register for five years. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a Samsung mobile phone that contained the illicit images, and Butler was placed on a three-year community order, which includes 35 days of rehabilitation activities.

Furthermore, Butler was subjected to a three-month curfew, requiring him to stay at home between 7 pm and 7 am. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and prosecution costs of £340. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk posed to the community.

In a related case from May 2021, Butler was found to have a library of over 2,000 indecent images, including videos of babies, further illustrating his repeated engagement in such criminal activity. His prior convictions include a 2011 offense where he received a community order after downloading indecent images of young girls, and a 2015 incident where he avoided prison for failing to comply with sex offender register requirements. These previous convictions demonstrate a troubling pattern of behavior and disregard for legal restrictions.

In April 2022, Butler pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates’ Court to failing to inform police about minors staying overnight at his residence on Purleigh Avenue. He was ordered to pay fines totaling over £200 and was issued a sexual harm prevention order, emphasizing the ongoing concern for public safety and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

His criminal history also includes a 2011 case where he used an internet chatroom to download indecent images of young girls, claiming he was attempting to locate paedophiles. However, Judge Robert Juckes QC dismissed this explanation, noting that Butler’s use of the Fast Flirt chatline was furtive and suspicious. At that time, Butler, then aged 36, was sentenced to a three-year community order, required to sign the sex offenders register for five years, and ordered to pay costs of £1,200. The court found that his activities involved encouraging the distribution of illegal images and possessing such material himself.

Throughout these proceedings, Butler’s actions have been met with widespread condemnation, and his repeated offenses underscore the persistent threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children. The community and authorities alike remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement and ongoing monitoring to prevent further harm.