COLIN CHASTON IN MALDON SENTENCED FOR HORDE OF CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In August 2017, a man from Maldon named Colin Chaston, aged 62, was sentenced for possessing a large collection of indecent images involving children. The investigation was initiated after Essex Police executed a warrant at his residence in Wagtail Drive, Heybridge, on February 9. During the search, officers seized a Samsung notebook and an HP laptop, revealing a disturbing array of both still and moving images.

The Samsung device contained seven Category A (most serious) moving images and one Category A still image, along with three Category B still images. The HP laptop held eight Category A moving images, two Category B moving images, four Category C moving images, and ten Category A still images.

Chaston pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on August 2, and was brought back for sentencing on August 31. Prosecutor Grace Court detailed the search terms Chaston used, such as 'eight-year-old', '12-year-old', and 'girl model', which highlighted his intent.

Ms Court described the nature of the images, noting, “There was involvement of a female child, aged eight to ten years, which involved a dog,” and added, “The majority of the images involved females.” She also indicated that Chaston had searched for indecent content via Google on his mobile phone and that he viewed material he believed depicted girls over 18 engaged in role-playing scenarios of much younger characters.

The court was informed that Chaston has no prior convictions and lives with his wife, who reportedly has health issues. Following his guilty plea, he was required to register as a sex offender. His sentence comprised a 30-day community order and a rehabilitative activity requirement, and he was mandated to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within one year. Additionally, Chaston was ordered to pay £105 in prosecution costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also granted, lasting for five years. Due to the necessity of a pre-sentence report, sentencing was adjourned until August 30. Before being released on unconditional bail, Chaston was warned that he had 48 hours to register with police as a sex offender.