KEVIN ANKRETT FROM BRIERLEY HILL ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL

Kevin Ankrett, a 68-year-old widower and grandfather from Brierley Hill, has been found in possession of an extensive collection of child sex abuse images but has surprisingly avoided imprisonment. Over a period exceeding ten years, Ankrett repeatedly accessed and viewed indecent images depicting children as young as four years old. Police investigations uncovered a significant amount of digital evidence, including a Toshiba external hard drive containing 392 images classified as Category A, 571 images in Category B, and a staggering 14,907 images in Category C. Additionally, a Hewlett-Packard (HP) laptop was seized, revealing 95 Category A images, 214 Category B images, and 15,422 Category C images. The content on these devices included disturbing footage of children in distress, with authorities noting clear signs that Ankrett deliberately searched for such material, indicating a premeditated interest rather than accidental discovery.

During police interviews, Ankrett admitted that he would view these images approximately three times a week. His preferred age range was between 10 and 14 years old. Despite the gravity of his actions, he expressed remorse, acknowledging that his behavior was wrong. Following his arrest, he reached out to Stop It Now, a charity dedicated to preventing child abuse, seeking to understand his own conduct and to address his issues.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Ankrett initially encountered the illicit content by accident but continued to view it due to a developing interest. He also claimed that he did not actively seek out the most severe Category A images but left them on his devices out of laziness, as they had been bulk uploaded. Ankrett, who became increasingly isolated after the death of his wife, did not initially take legal action against possessing such content but later made full admissions and sought help for his behavior.

He faced multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing a prohibited image. The case was heard by Judge Talog Davies, who noted that Ankrett’s offending spanned from 2012 to 2023. Despite the seriousness of his actions, the judge acknowledged that Ankrett had a realistic chance of rehabilitation due to his willingness to address his behavior.

As a result, Ankrett was sentenced to a 16-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to comply with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, complete a 55-day rehabilitation program, and register as a sex offender for ten years. The judge emphasized that Ankrett had made efforts to confront his issues and was transparent about his offences, which influenced the court’s decision to avoid immediate imprisonment.