JOHN BROUGHTON'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGE CACHE IN MARSTON MORTANE

In February 2014, authorities uncovered a disturbing cache of child sexual abuse images on the computer systems of John Broughton, an accountant residing in Marston Mortaine. The police executed a search warrant at his home located in Jubilee Cottages, Station Road, on October 11, 2012. During the raid, officers seized multiple pieces of computer equipment, which later revealed an alarming collection of over 145,000 indecent images of children, some of which depicted the most heinous forms of abuse imaginable. The investigation also uncovered numerous video clips containing similar material, highlighting the severity of the offense.

When Broughton appeared before Luton Crown Court to face sentencing, the court was informed of his mental health condition. Judge Barbara Mensah was told that Broughton had been diagnosed with obsessional compulsive disorder (OCD). His legal representatives explained that his condition might have influenced his actions, suggesting that he may not have viewed all the images in his collection. His barrister, Mr. Jonathan Coode, emphasized that Broughton’s OCD had reached a point where he was no longer actively engaging with the material, describing his collecting behavior as a 'pointless game.'

It was also revealed that Broughton, aged 68, had a long history of compulsive collecting, including a previous addiction to cars. His criminal record dates back to 1974 when he was first convicted of a sex offense. The police had initially arrested him at his residence, and the subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the presence of a vast and disturbing collection of illicit images. The court heard that Broughton had pleaded guilty to 17 counts of making indecent images of a child and two counts of possessing such images. Additionally, he was found to be in breach of a sexual offences prevention order that had previously been imposed.

In delivering her judgment, Judge Mensah acknowledged Broughton’s efforts to seek help through psychotherapy. Recognizing this, she decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, she opted for a three-year community order with supervision, allowing Broughton to participate in an internet sex offenders treatment program. Furthermore, the court imposed a new sexual offences prevention order to restrict his future conduct and prevent further offenses. The judge’s decision reflected a cautious approach, balancing the seriousness of the crimes with the potential for rehabilitation given Broughton’s mental health treatment efforts.