DARRAN ASHTON SENTENCED IN WASHFORD FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ONLINE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Darren Ashton, a resident of Washford in Somerset, has been found guilty and subsequently sentenced for engaging in heinous acts of child sexual abuse through live streaming from the Philippines, as well as for sharing indecent images of minors. The 52-year-old man’s criminal activities came to light after a thorough investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), which was prompted by intelligence received from the Philippines National Police.

Authorities executed a warrant at Ashton’s residence in Washford, where they apprehended him and seized electronic devices for forensic analysis. During the investigation, it was revealed that Ashton had been actively involved in online discussions centered around sharing explicit videos and images involving young boys aged 13 and 14. His online alias, 'Daz from England,' was linked to numerous conversations and exchanges that promoted the distribution of child abuse material.

Further examination of Ashton’s devices uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior. A recovered chat history indicated that he had solicited indecent images from a young Singaporean boy, estimated to be around 11 years old, prior to his arrest. The devices contained a significant amount of illegal content, including 185 Category A images, 244 Category B images, 266 Category C images, and 10 images classified as extreme or prohibited material.

In addition to possessing these images, Ashton was found to have been encouraging children online to send him explicit videos and photographs, and was actively watching live streams of abuse originating from the Philippines. This behavior demonstrated a disturbing level of predatory conduct and a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of minors.

Initially, Ashton denied all charges brought against him. However, during his court appearance at Taunton Crown Court on February 13, he chose to plead guilty to all counts. His guilty plea led to a sentencing of four years in prison. Furthermore, Ashton’s name will be permanently entered into the Sex Offenders Register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. As part of his sentence, he is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his access to online platforms and prevent further harm to children.