IAN MAY FROM CHELLASTON AND ILKESTON CAUGHT IN SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Chellaston and Ilkeston, Ian May, a man with a troubling history of inappropriate conduct towards minors, has been found in possession of indecent images of children on his personal laptop. The revelations come after May's previous conviction for sending obscene messages to a teenage girl, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior that has now culminated in serious criminal charges.

May, who resides in Chellaston and has connections to Ilkeston, was first arrested in May 2013 when police discovered him sending inappropriate Facebook messages to a 15-year-old girl. The messages, which contained sexually explicit content, prompted an investigation that ultimately led to his detention. During the arrest, authorities seized his computer, but at that time, a thorough analysis of his device had not been completed. It was only in the subsequent months that police uncovered the extent of his misconduct, including the viewing of numerous indecent images.

According to court records, May, aged 40 at the time, admitted to viewing a total of 253 images, predominantly classified as Category One, which are considered less explicit. However, the investigation revealed that four images fell into Level Three, one into Level Four, and the most explicit was categorized as Level Five. The court was informed that May had looked at more than a hundred of these images within a single hour, demonstrating a disturbing level of preoccupation with such material.

During the proceedings at Derby Crown Court, Nicki Forster, representing May, provided a mitigation statement. She explained that since his release from prison, May had been on license and under supervision by the probation service. She emphasized that he had engaged positively with probation programs, which he found beneficial. Forster stated, “He has engaged with the probation service while on licence – he states he found the work very helpful. It has made him realize – that what he thought at the time was just a screen – there is a person behind the screen and a victim behind the photograph. Now he says he is disgusted in himself. He describes it as vile and nasty and is ashamed of himself.”

Judge John Burgess, presiding over the case, sentenced May to a three-year community order, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and public safety. The judge remarked, “The police seized your laptop – if they had investigated it at the time or if you had told them what you had been doing, you would have been sentenced then for it.” He added, “But the way it has worked out might have been an advantage to both May and the public. I can now do something more constructive. The sex offenders’ group work programme takes a considerable amount of time.” May will be under supervision by the probation service for the duration of his community order.

In a related case from earlier in 2013, May’s troubling behavior was brought to light when friends in Ilkeston turned him in after discovering his inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old girl. Lauren, a friend and former babysitter of May, became suspicious when she noticed him hiding his laptop. Her mother, Maria, checked the device and found the incriminating messages, which led to May’s arrest. Lauren expressed her shock, saying, “I just couldn’t believe some of the things he was saying. It disgusted me, for somebody I had known for such a long time. It was a shock.”

May was living at Lauren’s mother’s house in Chellaston at the time, but he was not at home when police arrived to arrest him in connection with another offence. He then asked a friend to hide his laptop, which further raised suspicion. The police investigation revealed that May had been contacting other young girls, prompting authorities to urge anyone who believed they might have been targeted to come forward.

Judge Andrew Hamilton sentenced May to 14 months in prison for his actions involving the 15-year-old girl. The court heard that May continued to pursue her even after she explicitly told him she was only 15 and asked him to stop. Despite her warnings and her calling the police, May’s arrest was delayed until September, after her family reported his continued harassment. Prosecutor Grace Hale detailed how May had sent her offensive messages, including calling her “so fit,” and how she responded by calling him “a paedo” and threatening to involve law enforcement. May’s history also includes making obscene calls to nursing homes and engaging in various harassment offences.

May, who has no fixed address, admitted to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His defense attorney, Justin Ablott, claimed that May was horrified by the allegations and that his actions were driven by feelings of inadequacy following the breakdown of two serious relationships. As part of his sentence, May is required to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and adhere to a sexual offences prevention order, which bans him from using the internet to contact minors under 16. Police continue to investigate whether May has contacted other potential victims, urging anyone with information to contact authorities either directly or anonymously.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about online safety and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory behavior, especially in communities like Chellaston and Ilkeston where May’s troubling activities have now come to light.