COLIN GRAHAM FROM WAVERTON SENTENCED FOR OVER 1,000 INDECENT IMAGES IN CHESTER

In August 2019, a serious case involving Colin Graham, a resident of Waverton, came to light at Chester Crown Court, where he was formally sentenced for possessing an alarming collection of indecent images and videos depicting children. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the material and the implications for public safety.

Colin Thomas Graham, aged 58 and residing in Ringway, Waverton, was found to have accumulated more than 1,000 indecent images, along with an additional 2,277 cartoon and manga-style prohibited images. The images included some of the most serious category A material, with 330 images classified as such, including 106 videos. These images depicted children engaged in sexual acts, with victims as young as three years old and mostly between five and ten years old. The sheer volume and severity of the material underscored the gravity of the offense.

The discovery of these illicit images was initiated when Graham’s mother took his computer to a repair shop in Chester in November 2014. The staff at the repair shop noticed the indecent images stored on the device and promptly contacted the police. At the time, Graham was working as a teacher in Turkey, and law enforcement agencies attempted to reach him via email. It was only after Graham returned to the UK in December 2017 that he was arrested and brought into custody.

Throughout the proceedings, Graham maintained that he had an interest in boys aged 15 and 16. However, Judge Patrick Thompson, presiding over the case, dismissed this claim as “rubbish,” asserting that Graham was attempting to deceive the court and the probation service. The judge emphasized that the images involved much younger children, far from Graham’s claimed preferences, and made it clear that the defendant was a danger to children.

Graham had no prior convictions or cautions, and he pleaded guilty at his first appearance in crown court. Despite the severity of the evidence, Judge Thompson decided against immediate imprisonment, citing the need for a thorough consideration of the case. Instead, he sentenced Graham to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and imposed a two-year community order. As part of this order, Graham is required to participate in a rehabilitation program, including 35 days of specific activities such as the Horizon group program for sex offenders.

In addition to the community order, Graham was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his access to computers and other devices capable of viewing or storing such material. He is also mandated to sign the sex offenders register, and all devices used to access the illegal images are to be forfeited and destroyed. The judge made it clear that these measures are necessary to protect the public and prevent further offenses, emphasizing the seriousness of Graham’s actions and the need for ongoing supervision.

Judge Thompson concluded his remarks by stating, “I am afraid you are a danger to children. The material is made for the commercial market, and if there was no demand, such material would not be produced. You need to accept that you have a serious problem.” The court’s decision reflects the grave concern over Graham’s conduct and the potential risk posed to children, underscoring the importance of stringent legal measures to safeguard vulnerable victims.