IAN HEWITT

On 3rd October 2023, in the Crown Court at Chester (HHJ Leeming), Ian Hewitt pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children (Counts 1 to 3), one count of possession of indecent photographs of children (Count 4), seven counts of distributing indecent photographs of children (Counts 5 to 11), two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child (Counts 12 and 16), two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence (Counts 13 and 14), two counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity (Counts 15 and 18), one count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act (Count 17) and three counts of attempted sexual communication with a child (Counts 19 to 21).

On 7 November 2023, before the same court, the appellant (then aged 50) was sentenced.

A sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment was imposed on Count 1 to reflect the making/possession of indecent photographs of a child with concurrent sentences on other such counts, a sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment consecutive, was passed in respect of Count 5 to reflect the distribution of indecent photographs of children offending, with concurrent sentences on other such counts, and a consecutive special custodial sentence comprising of a custodial sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment and 1 year’s extended licence was passed on Count 13 (intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence - that is encouraging the rape of a girl under 13 years of age) with concurrent sentences on all other counts including 32 month concurrent sentences on Counts 14 and 18, a 16 month concurrent sentence on Counts 15 and a 14 month concurrent sentence on Count 17, a total sentence consisting of standard determinate sentences totalling 4 years’ imprisonment followed by a special custodial sentence comprising of a custodial sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment and a 1 year extended licence consecutive.