GAVIN CHARLTON FROM ROTHERHAM AND TEESSIDE JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In January 2013, Gavin Charlton, a man with ties to both Rotherham and Teesside, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing and creating indecent photographs of young children. The case came to light after police authorities discovered hundreds of such images stored on Charlton's computer, raising serious concerns about his activities and prompting a thorough investigation.

Gavin Charlton, who was 24 years old at the time, admitted to eight counts of making indecent images and five counts of taking indecent images. The authorities' suspicion was initially raised due to unusual activity or reports, which led to a search of his electronic devices. The police uncovered a significant collection of illicit images, which prompted the charges against him.

During the proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, Charlton’s legal representative, barrister Dan Cordey, addressed the court, describing the case as a heavy burden on his client. Mr. Cordey stated that the criminal allegations had cast a long shadow over Charlton’s life, describing the situation as a “black cloud” hanging over him. He emphasized that prior to these charges, Charlton was considered a young man of good character, with no previous criminal record, and that he was only 24 years old at the time.

Mr. Cordey acknowledged that Charlton was facing a serious issue, stating, “He has got a problem and he is beginning to acknowledge that.” He also pointed out that the 174 images involved in the case were at the lower end of the scale of severity, suggesting that a more lenient sentence might be appropriate. The barrister argued that the judge, Howard Crowson, could consider suspending the prison sentence due to the delay in bringing the case to court, Charlton’s good character, and his early guilty plea.

Despite these arguments, Judge Crowson did not show leniency. He sentenced Charlton to 18 months in prison and imposed additional restrictions. Charlton was also subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which restricts his activities and access to certain environments. Furthermore, he was ordered to register his personal details with the police for the next ten years, a standard requirement for individuals convicted of sexual offences.

At the time of sentencing, it was noted that Charlton had previously resided in Teesside but was now living in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of indecent images of children, and the serious consequences faced by those found guilty of such offences.