MARTIN FLACK AND WILLIAM EBRELL FROM ELLESMERE PORT AND ROCK FERRY SENTENCED IN CHILD PORN RING CASE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local communities of Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry, four men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in an extensive international child pornography network. The case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where Judge David Aubrey QC delivered a powerful and emotional judgment, revealing the disturbing details of the abuse and exploitation carried out by the offenders.

Judge Aubrey recounted the profound trauma inflicted upon the victims, stating, "I could never have imagined such abuse, such exploitation and such consequential trauma. I can still hear the screams of that baby, see the distress that was captured on those young children’s faces." His words underscored the severity of the crimes committed by the group, which shared and distributed thousands of indecent images of children, including videos depicting very young victims being subjected to torture and extreme abuse. The images and videos were part of a disturbing collection that totaled over 35,000 indecent images, illustrating the extent of the offenders' depravity.

The mastermind behind this heinous operation was identified as Roy Woollard, a father of four, who was responsible for orchestrating the distribution of obscene material to paedophiles across the globe. Investigations into Woollard’s computer revealed that he shared indecent images with 587 email addresses worldwide, including contacts in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Prosecutor David McLachlan described Woollard as a “prolific distributor of indecent images,” emphasizing his role in the network and his use of online chat rooms to groom minors.

Woollard, of Eastern Avenue, Bromborough, was found guilty of 20 offences, including inciting a 15-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity. His actions extended beyond mere distribution, as he also attempted to pervert the course of justice by smashing a computer hard drive when police arrived at his residence. Woollard was sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment for public protection, with a minimum term of four years.

Alongside Woollard, three other men—Glyn Rogers, Martin Flack, and William Ebrell—were implicated in the case. Rogers, aged 37 from Carlake Grove, Walton Grange, was found to possess the most serious images among the group. He admitted 13 charges, including the distribution of indecent images, and received a four-year prison sentence. Flack, aged 25 from Plantation Drive, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to 14 offences and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Ebrell, aged 48 from Rock Ferry, admitted eight charges; his six-month sentence was suspended for two years, and he was placed under a supervision order.

All four men faced additional penalties, including disqualification from working with children and the imposition of sexual offenders’ prevention orders. Woollard’s relationship with Rogers was described as one of “mutual admiration,” highlighting the close connections within the group. The court’s verdict underscores the grave nature of these crimes and the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from such heinous abuse.