ERNEST HOLME FROM BOLTON AND WESTHOUGHTON SPARED JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Bolton and Westhoughton, 64-year-old Ernest Holme was found to have downloaded and possessed a significant number of indecent images and videos depicting children. The incident came to light following a police raid on his residence in Wilton Street, Bolton, on October 23, 2018.

During the operation, law enforcement officers seized multiple electronic devices, including two laptops, two computer towers, and a memory card. An extensive investigation revealed that Holme had stored a total of 283 highly illegal images classified as Category A, which included 129 videos. Additionally, there were 219 images in Category B, comprising 57 videos, and 982 images in Category C, with 21 videos. The authorities also uncovered an illegal extreme pornographic moving image along with 14 other prohibited images involving children.

It was established that Holme had been using peer-to-peer file-sharing software, a tool that facilitates the transfer of files between users, which he employed to access and download these disturbing images. The age range of the children depicted in the images was between six and seventeen years old, highlighting the severity and disturbing nature of the material involved.

Following the discovery, police conducted interviews with Holme at the police station. During questioning, he admitted to accessing the images, claiming that his motivation was driven by a need to investigate the material. However, he also acknowledged that his actions were extremely foolish.

Holme, who now resides on Pinfold Close in Westhoughton, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images of children, possession of an extreme pornographic image, and possession of 14 prohibited images of children. All these offenses were committed over a period spanning from February 1, 2017, to October 23, 2018.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court, where Judge Martin Walsh, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, addressed Holme directly. While recognizing that the crimes warranted a prison sentence, the judge emphasized that any custodial period would be relatively short and that the community would be better protected through supervised rehabilitation.

Consequently, Holme was sentenced to a three-year community order, which requires him to participate in 60 days of rehabilitation activities. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years. Judge Walsh concluded his remarks by stressing the gravity of such crimes, stating, “These are not victimless crimes. Images showing abuse of children show abuse of real children. Those who download and use such images feed the trade in such noxious images.”