MARTIN WICKS FROM MALMESBURY AND SWINDON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE DOWNLOADS

In April 2014, a man named Martin Wicks, originally from Malmesbury and later residing in Swindon, was sentenced to a prison term after being found guilty of downloading extensive amounts of child abuse material from the internet. The investigation revealed that Wicks, aged 52, had engaged in the illicit activity over a period spanning several years, accumulating more than 70 hours of disturbing video content.

Wicks was not only using his personal computer to access these vile images but also utilized his landlady's devices while lodging at her residence. The case was brought to light after Wiltshire Police, prompted by information from the Metropolitan Police, initiated an inquiry into Wicks's online activities. Authorities traced his digital footprint to an address in Hullavington, but upon arrival, they discovered that Wicks had already moved out. Subsequently, they located him at a property on Fyfield Avenue in the Penhill area of Swindon, where he was arrested on Thursday, August 8 of the previous year.

During the investigation, law enforcement officials seized Wicks's computer from the room he rented and also confiscated the landlady's computers from downstairs. Wicks admitted that he had obtained the illicit images and videos through peer-to-peer file-sharing websites, claiming that he had only used his own computer for this purpose. However, subsequent examinations of both machines revealed the presence of the illegal material on each device. Wicks accepted responsibility for his actions.

The evidence presented in court showed that Wicks possessed a total of 451 images and movies depicting child abuse. Among these were 132 prohibited images of children and three that fell under the category of extreme pornography. The material included a significant amount of video content, with the total duration exceeding 70 hours. One of the videos, considered to be at the highest level of severity, was approximately 20 minutes long.

Wicks, who previously resided at Corn Gastons in Malmesbury, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making and possessing indecent images of children, with the offenses dating from May 2008 to August of the previous year. He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and prohibited images of children. His defense attorney, Paul Grumbar, explained that Wicks had been married for several years before separating in 1999. After the end of his subsequent relationship, he moved to Hullavington, where he began downloading the illegal material. Due to financial difficulties, he lost his accommodation and lived in his van for a period before renting a room in Swindon.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Tim Mousley QC expressed profound concern about the nature of the crimes. He emphasized the severe harm inflicted on the victims, noting that the methods used to coerce children into participating in the creation of such material were extreme and reprehensible. The judge stated, “One can’t imagine the extreme methods that were used to coerce the children into taking part in the making of this type of material. One can’t contemplate the harm that was caused to them and will probably last with them for the rest of their lives.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Wicks was ordered to comply with a sexual offences prevention order, which would restrict his liberty, and he was required to register as a sex offender. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the distribution and possession of such illegal content.