MARK SALTMER SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN WHITBY AND KINGFISHER DRIVE

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community of Whitby, Mark Saltmer, aged 39, has been at the center of serious criminal allegations involving child abuse images and related offenses. The case, which has unfolded over the past year, reveals a troubling pattern of behavior and attempts to evade justice that have led to multiple court appearances and severe sentencing.

It all began in July 2013 when police investigations uncovered the presence of child abuse images on Saltmer’s home computers. The authorities acted swiftly, executing a raid on June 12, 2011, at the residence of Stanley Saltmer in Whitby, where they seized various electronic devices and other items from the suspect’s room. The investigation revealed nearly 200 images depicting children in abusive situations, including young females aged just two, five, and seven years old. These images ranged across different levels of severity, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material involved.

During questioning, Saltmer attempted to shift blame onto his elderly father, claiming that the images had been downloaded or viewed by hackers. He also persuaded his father, Stanley Saltmer, who was 84 years old at the time, to write a letter to the police asserting that he was responsible for the content. However, the language and terminology used in the letter strongly suggested that it was not written by the elderly man himself but was more likely composed by Saltmer, who holds both an HNC and HND in computing. This attempt to deceive law enforcement was part of Saltmer’s broader effort to avoid culpability.

Adding context to his troubled background, Saltmer has been described by his legal representatives as having a “morbid curiosity” about pornography, which they linked to alleged early childhood abuse. His mental health struggles are well-documented, with reports indicating that he has previously attempted to take his own life. In March of the same year, Saltmer was stopped from self-harming by attempting to cut his throat with a knife. He has also been known to self-harm on other occasions and has been referred for counseling to address these issues.

As a consequence of his actions, Saltmer lost his job as a cleaner, further compounding his personal difficulties. During the court proceedings, Judge Shaun Spencer QC expressed his disapproval of Saltmer’s attempt to blame his father, suggesting that Saltmer believed his father’s age would lead to a more lenient sentence. Ultimately, Saltmer was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with additional restrictions imposed to prevent further offenses. He was placed under a Sex Offences Prevention Order for five years, which limits his internet usage, and was also registered on the Sex Offender Register for a decade. Furthermore, he received a lifetime disqualification from working with children.

Earlier in April 2013, Saltmer appeared before York Crown Court to face additional charges. He pleaded guilty to 11 offenses related to the creation, possession, and distribution of child abuse images. These charges spanned from April 2010 to March 2012, covering a wide range of illegal material, including some of the most serious categories of child pornography. Saltmer admitted to producing four photographs, five videos, and possessing a total of 65 photographs and 18 movies containing child abuse material. During this hearing, it was also revealed that Saltmer had submitted a false confession letter to the police, purportedly signed by his father, claiming responsibility for the offending. This act was an attempt to mislead authorities and obstruct justice.

The prosecution indicated that Saltmer might face additional charges related to child pornography, and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. His defense team requested further medical assessments, citing potential mental health issues that could influence sentencing. Judge Neil Clark warned Saltmer that all options, including imprisonment, would be considered at the upcoming hearing scheduled for June 14. He also ordered Saltmer to register as a sex offender for the duration of the sentence, with the final length of this registration to be determined based on the court’s ruling. Saltmer was granted unconditional bail until the sentencing date, leaving the community awaiting the final judgment on this disturbing case.