GARY WATWOOD FROM ETRURIA CAUGHT WITH HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In April 2015, Gary Watwood, a 27-year-old resident of Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images depicting children as young as two years old. The discovery was made during a police raid at his former residence in Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent, where authorities uncovered over 500 images and several videos classified across various categories of severity.

Judge David Fletcher addressed Watwood directly in Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, condemning the nature of the material he had been viewing. The judge emphasized the ongoing danger posed by individuals like Watwood, stating, "The abuse of young children will continue so long as there are people like you sitting on computers in dark rooms."

Watwood pleaded guilty to 19 counts of making indecent images of children, which involved downloading and copying these images onto his computer. The police investigation was initiated when officers executed a warrant at his previous address on March 21 of the previous year, at approximately 8 a.m. During the search, authorities discovered a disturbing collection: 54 images categorized as Category A, the most serious, 55 images at Category B, and 413 at Category C. Additionally, there were four Category A videos, five at Category B, and one at Category C.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese detailed the findings, highlighting the severity of the material. To ensure ongoing monitoring, Watwood was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from deleting his internet history for five years. Furthermore, he is required to permit police access to any device capable of storing images, including mobile phones, upon request.

In mitigation, defense lawyer Kevin Mortlock acknowledged that Watwood had taken steps to address his issues since his arrest. He explained, "He has 532 photographs and videos in total, which may seem like a lot, but in cases like this, it isn’t. He accepts he searched for and viewed these images during a dark period of his life and has been receiving counselling since then." Mortlock also noted that Watwood has suffered from depression since childhood.

Judge Fletcher, after reviewing the evidence and descriptions of the images, expressed his disgust, stating, "That’s enough for me; those were simply horrific." He further commented on Watwood’s mental health struggles, implying that his depression does not justify his actions but provides context.

As part of his sentence, Watwood was handed a three-year community order, which includes mandatory attendance at an internet sex offender programme. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years and ordered to pay costs amounting to £530.