KEVIN PETTICAN FROM SAXMUNDHAM JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES OFFENCES

In September 2010, a former university lecturer from Suffolk faced justice after being convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children. Kevin Pettican, aged 63 and residing on Felsham Rise in Saxmundham, was sentenced to three months in prison following a thorough investigation by police authorities.

Kevin Pettican, who previously taught social child care and was recognized as a child protection expert, admitted to nine counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing such images. The case was heard at Ipswich Crown Court, where Judge Peter Fenn delivered the sentence and additional orders aimed at preventing future offenses.

During the sentencing, Judge Fenn emphasized the severity of Pettican’s actions, highlighting that the images involved children under the age of 13. The judge pointed out that Pettican had deliberately sought out and downloaded these images, which included 88 moving files and four still photographs. The images were classified on a scale from one to five, with 58 of the moving images falling into level three and 25 into level four, indicating a significant level of seriousness. Some images were at levels one and two, but the presence of higher-level images underscored the gravity of the offense.

Judge Fenn made it clear that the exploitation of such young children constitutes a grave form of sexual abuse. He stated, “The point has to be made that for children, particularly of that young age, to participate in the sort of activities that these images depict is very serious sexual abuse of such children.” The judge further remarked that individuals with professional training, like Pettican, should have been acutely aware of the harm caused by such material. He added, “People like you access and view it, which feeds demand and perpetuates abuse on very young children.”

As part of the court’s ruling, Pettican was not only sentenced to three months in custody but was also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. The police investigation began in August of the previous year when officers visited Pettican’s Saxmundham home and seized his computer tower and laptop. Forensic analysis of these devices uncovered the disturbing images, confirming the allegations against him.

Prosecutor Michael Crimp detailed that the images found ranged in severity, with some classified at levels one and two, but the majority at levels three and four, indicating a high degree of seriousness. The evidence also suggested that Pettican had actively searched for indecent images of children, rather than encountering them accidentally, as indicated by search references on his devices.

Defense lawyer Jude Durr expressed regret over the case, stating that Pettican had recently retired from his teaching career. Durr described the situation as “a very sad case,” emphasizing the personal and professional embarrassment caused by the arrest and subsequent prosecution. He noted that Pettican had previously maintained a clean record and had contributed positively to society in various ways. Durr concluded by acknowledging that Pettican had lost everything he had worked for, including his reputation, and that it was unlikely he would ever regain it.