DOMINIC CHAPMAN FROM MELDRETH FACES SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE OVER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ADVERTISING

In June 2007, a significant case involving internet child exploitation came to light, centering around Dominic Chapman, a website designer from Meldreth. Chapman, who had previously established a website known as 'Horny Hippo,' found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after authorities uncovered his involvement in advertising links to paid child pornography sites.

Chapman's 'Horny Hippo' website, which he launched in 2001, was found to contain advertisements that directed visitors to sites featuring indecent images of children. These advertisements were identified during an extensive investigation into online child pornography, which extended beyond the UK and involved law enforcement agencies in the United States. The investigation revealed that the site was part of a larger network of adult pornography sites, most of which primarily featured legal content aimed at adults.

In June 2005, police officers raided Chapman's residence on High Street in Meldreth after the links on his website drew their attention. The raid uncovered evidence of his involvement in the distribution and advertising of illegal material. During the subsequent legal proceedings, Chapman, aged 28 at the time, admitted to one charge of advertising indecent images of a child. Additionally, he requested that the court consider the fact that he had viewed 422 low-level pornographic images of minors on his computer, which was also taken into account during sentencing.

Chapman, who had no prior criminal record, faced a serious legal penalty. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period. Furthermore, he was ordered to undergo 18 months of probation supervision and to participate in the Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme, a specialized course aimed at addressing problematic behaviors related to sexual offenses.

In addition to the suspended sentence and probation, Chapman was required to pay costs amounting to £723. He was also mandated to register as a sex offender, a requirement that will remain in place for the next ten years. Melanie Benn, representing the defense, highlighted that Chapman was a young man experiencing significant emotional difficulties at the time he set up the 'Horny Hippo' site. She emphasized that he had no sexual interest in children and that his actions were driven by a misguided attempt to make money without fully considering the moral or legal implications.

Prosecutor Jonathan Eley described Chapman's activities as primarily a commercial enterprise, noting that the advertising of indecent images was part of a broader group of adult content sites. Judge Gareth Hawkesworth, after reviewing probation reports, expressed concern over what he perceived as Chapman's distorted view of pornography. In his sentencing remarks, the judge advised Chapman to reflect carefully on his future actions, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses and the importance of understanding the harm caused by such material.