JOSHUA SAVAGE: 'DANGEROUS' OFFENDER FROM LEICESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ABUSE

In June 2021, Joshua Savage, a 29-year-old former resident of Knossington near Oakham, was sentenced after being found guilty of abusing children and sharing illegal images online. Savage’s criminal activity came to light when he shared two images — one depicting himself abusing a young victim — within an online chatroom frequented by individuals with sexual interests in children. The police, who had been monitoring the site, traced Savage through his internet IP address and arrested him in June 2019 at Leicester Crown Court.

During the investigation, officers seized Savage’s phone, discovering multiple indecent images of children along with the two images of abuse he had distributed. Prosecutor Anwar Nashashibi explained, "Savage’s phone was seized and was found to contain a number of indecent images of children, along with the two images he distributed online."

While awaiting sentencing, authorities uncovered additional child sex offenses committed by Savage, including crimes against two previously unknown victims—both under 10 years old—as well as downloads of more indecent images.

Savage appeared in court via video link from a secure mental health hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Judge Keith Raynor described Savage as "a dangerous offender who presents a significant risk to minors of serious harm" and sentenced him to a unique hybrid hospital order coupled with an eight-year prison term. Initially, Savage will serve his sentence in psychiatric care. Should his mental health improve, he will be transferred to serve the remainder of his time in prison, rather than being released into the community.

The judge acknowledged the link between Savage’s diagnosis of childhood autism and his offending, accepting the opinions of three psychiatrists that his mental health issues made him suitable for treatment. However, he chose to depart from their recommendation for a purely hospital order, emphasizing the need for punishment: "There’s a need for punishment in this case."

It was also ordered that Savage serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before authorities consider any potential release on licence. Additionally, he was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and required to register as a sex offender for life.

Victims’ families shared impact statements during the hearing, expressing devastation caused by Savage’s crimes. One mother said she felt "angry, disgusted and empty," highlighting the emotional toll and loss of innocence suffered by the children.

Savage admitted to numerous offences covering crimes committed between January 2017 and June 2019, including:

- Causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration)

- Taking indecent photographs of children in categories B and A

- Distributing indecent images of children

- Downloading indecent images—totaling 186 images in category A, 134 in category B, and 286 in category C

- Sexual assault of a child under 13

- Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

- Taking additional indecent images totaling 17 images in categories A, B, and C

Savage’s offences spanned a period marked by ongoing deviant behavior, ultimately resulting in his conviction and decades-long sentence aimed at protecting vulnerable children from harm.