JOHN SHAW FROM FARNWORTH ESCAPES PRISON DESPITE CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BOLTON

In a case that has shocked the local community of Farnworth and the wider Bolton area, John Peter Shaw, a 30-year-old man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses involving children, was brought before Bolton Crown Court in September 2007. Shaw, who formerly resided on Westland Avenue in Farnworth, faced serious allegations related to his possession of indecent images of children and his inappropriate conduct involving a young girl.

According to court proceedings, authorities discovered a significant collection of child pornography on Shaw’s computer during an investigation initiated by Trading Standards in February 2006. The investigation was initially unrelated to his alleged offenses but uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior. Shaw had been actively accessing internet chatrooms where he engaged with other users about his sexual fetishes, which notably included a fixation on children’s feet and a desire to have a daughter. These conversations revealed a troubling obsession that extended beyond mere fantasy.

Further evidence presented in court detailed that Shaw had collected and stored numerous images depicting children being sexually abused. The prosecution, led by Susan Carter, revealed that a total of 58 images were found on Shaw’s computer, eight of which were classified as level four, indicating they depicted acts of abuse. This collection underscored the severity of his offending and his engagement with material that is considered highly illegal and morally reprehensible.

In addition to the images, Shaw’s mobile phone was found to contain a photograph of a five-year-old girl with her bare foot resting on his groin. Shaw admitted that the photograph was of a sexual nature, although the child was not his own. The court was told that Shaw had taken the picture himself, further illustrating his disturbing fixation on children’s feet. The photograph’s discovery was particularly alarming, as it demonstrated a direct act of sexual misconduct involving a minor.

During the court hearing, Shaw broke down in tears as the details of his obsession and actions were read out. His defense lawyer, Richard Dawson, described the case as “extremely unusual,” emphasizing that the act of touching a young girl’s foot in this context was unprecedented in his experience and that such behavior was markedly different from typical sexual offenses involving children.

Judge Elliott Knopf addressed the court, acknowledging the gravity of Shaw’s offenses but also considering the possibility of rehabilitation. He stated, “This is a world apart from the normal situation. The choice for me is stark – do I send you to prison or shall I look at imposing a sentence which would be more constructive?” Ultimately, the judge decided against imprisonment. Instead, Shaw was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes mandatory attendance at a rehabilitation program in Northumbria. Additionally, Shaw has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years and is prohibited from working with children. The judge issued a stern warning that should Shaw re-offend, he would face immediate jail time, underscoring the seriousness with which the court views his actions and the importance of monitoring his behavior moving forward.