CRAIG BROWN AND KRISTIAN WIGMORE JAILED IN PONTYPOOL AND NEWPORT FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND FILMING YOUNG BOYS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Pontypool and Newport, two men described as close friends and former colleagues at the supermarket chain Asda have been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and distributing indecent images of children, as well as filming young boys at a leisure centre without their consent.

Police investigations revealed that Craig Brown, a 31-year-old resident of Woodfield Road, New Inn, had accumulated a staggering total of 1,445 indecent images on his personal devices. During a raid conducted at his home in May, officers uncovered these images, which included 574 videos and photographs classified as Category A — the most severe level of child sexual abuse material. These images depicted the most heinous acts, including assaults on infants and babies, which the presiding judge, Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, described as “extremely disturbing.”

When questioned by authorities, Brown reportedly responded with a chilling acknowledgment, telling arresting officers, “Yes. Sick isn’t it?” This statement underscored the gravity of the material he possessed. The court heard that Brown had also engaged in voyeuristic activities and had distributed indecent images, further compounding his offenses.

Just days after Brown’s arrest, authorities executed a search warrant at the Newport residence of Kristian Wigmore, aged 26, where they recovered indecent material stored on his mobile phone. Wigmore, who resides on Graig Park Lane, Malpas, was also implicated in the case due to his possession and distribution of similar material. The investigation revealed that the two men had met while working together at Asda and maintained a close friendship, which appeared to have facilitated their illicit activities.

Part of the evidence included footage of the pair filming young boys at a leisure centre on two separate occasions. The court was told that these recordings were made without the children’s knowledge or consent, adding a deeply troubling dimension to the case.

Both men pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Craig Brown admitted to three counts of making indecent images, voyeurism, and distributing indecent photographs. Kristian Wigmore pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images, voyeurism, taking an indecent photograph, and distributing such images.

Judge Lloyd-Clarke sentenced Brown to a total of three years and four months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, subject to a sexual harm prevention order, and required to pay a victim surcharge upon release. Wigmore received a sentence of one year and eight months, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order and a victim surcharge.

The case highlights the disturbing extent of online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes, especially when they involve individuals who abuse positions of trust and close relationships to facilitate their illegal activities.