DOVER OFFENDER MATTHEW BOOTON AND HIS BROTHER NICKY BOOTON JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a significant crackdown on child exploitation, authorities in Dover have successfully prosecuted two brothers involved in the possession and creation of indecent images of children. Matthew Booton, aged 27, was taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at his family residence in Dover. The investigation was initiated when law enforcement officers seized his computer during a raid, which occurred three months prior to his arrest in April 2010.

Remarkably, this operation was part of a broader effort that also targeted his younger brother, Nicky Booton, who was 22 years old at the time. Nicky, a registered sex offender, had been detained a month earlier, in September of the previous year, after authorities uncovered evidence of his involvement in possessing and producing indecent images of children. His actions led to an 18-month prison sentence after he admitted to the charges.

Following the discovery of additional illicit material, police intensified their investigation into Matthew Booton. In January, officers uncovered hundreds of more indecent images stored on his computer, which prompted further legal action. The culmination of these efforts resulted in Matthew’s sentencing, which took place yesterday. He was sentenced to eight months in prison and was also ordered to register as a sex offender, a legal requirement for individuals convicted of such offenses.

Matthew pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of making such images. The material found on his computer was particularly disturbing, as it included five images classified at the highest level of severity, level five, indicating they depicted acts of sadism or bestiality involving children. Overall, police recovered a total of 677 indecent images and one video clip from his device, highlighting the extent of his involvement in these criminal activities.

DC Mikaela Stevens, representing Kent Police’s Public Protection Crime Unit, emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to combat child exploitation. She stated, “Kent Police remains determined to seek out those individuals who abuse children and are engaged in child abuse image offences. We are committed to identifying offenders and bringing them before the courts.” The case underscores the persistent efforts of police to protect vulnerable children and hold offenders accountable for their heinous crimes.