DEREK CHAMPION'S CORNWALL CRIME: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ILLEGAL FILMING IN HELSTON AND BEYOND

In October 2013, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of child exploitation involving Derek Champion, a man with connections across all areas of Cornwall. The case came to light after police investigations revealed that Champion, aged 35, had been involved in viewing and possessing a significant collection of indecent images of children, as well as filming young girls in Helston without their knowledge.

Police executed a search warrant at Champion’s residence, which was located in Mount Hawke, although his previous address was listed as South Roskear Terrace, Camborne. During the search, officers discovered a troubling cache of digital material on his computer, which included a total of 1,729 photographs depicting children believed to be between 12 months and ten years old. Among these images, more than 500 were classified at the higher end of the scale used by law enforcement to categorize indecent images, indicating a severe level of exploitation.

The investigation was triggered when Champion was observed on March 27, 2012, filming four young girls under the age of ten in Helston. Although the act of filming children in a public space was not itself a criminal offense, it prompted police to intervene. Officers responded swiftly and apprehended Champion, who was found in possession of a silver camcorder. During questioning, it was revealed that the device contained clips of children playing in a garden, which raised further concerns about his intentions.

Following his arrest, police searched Champion’s home and uncovered a substantial collection of child pornography. The case was brought before Truro Crown Court, where the Crown Prosecution Service, represented by Elaine Hobson, outlined the charges against him. Champion, who has a mild learning disability, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of making indecent photographs of children and possessing extreme pornography.

Defense lawyer Barrie Van den Berg argued that Champion struggled with communication and social interaction, which might explain his behavior. Despite the gravity of the charges, the court faced a dilemma regarding sentencing. Typically, cases involving such offenses result in immediate or suspended prison sentences. However, Judge John Neligan considered a psychiatric report that described Champion as an isolated and lonely individual who spent much of his time engaged in computer gaming and viewing inappropriate material.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Neligan emphasized the importance of deterring such offenses to protect children from horrific abuse. He stated, “The message has to be sent loud and clear that making indecent images of children and possession of that sort of material won’t be tolerated because those children who are photographed suffer the most horrendous abuse and if it was not for people who view this stuff the children would not be subjected to that sort of abuse.”

Nevertheless, recognizing the defendant’s circumstances, the judge opted against imprisonment. Instead, Champion was sentenced to a two-year community order. He was also ordered to participate in an internet sex offenders program and to be supervised by probation services. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of his laptop and desktop computer equipment, though his Xbox console was returned to him. A sex offences prevention order was also imposed to monitor his future activities.

Following the hearing, Detective Eileen Hattem provided further details, revealing that the material found on Champion’s devices included images of children as young as one year old, along with video clips of children aged between one and four years. She emphasized the importance of the conviction, stating, “The fact that he has been convicted will ensure he receives appropriate treatment and will be assessed for any future risk to the public with the sexual offences prevention order.”