MATTHEW CHURCHILL FROM HANLEY SWAN FACES LONG JAIL SENTENCE AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN WORCESTER

In October 2021, a serious case involving Matthew Churchill, a resident of Hanley Swan near Worcester, came to the forefront as he was brought before the courts on multiple charges related to child sexual offenses and possession of indecent images. Churchill, aged 32, has been identified as a convicted paedophile who committed heinous acts against a young girl starting from the age of just four years old. His criminal activities also include the possession of over 3,000 indecent images of children, categorized at the most severe level within the sentencing guidelines, known as Category A.

The proceedings took place at Worcester Crown Court, where Judge James Burbidge QC presided over the case. During the hearing, Churchill’s legal representative, Alun Williams, requested a seven-week adjournment to allow for a comprehensive psychiatric assessment, highlighting the complexity of the case and the need for further mental health evaluation before sentencing.

Churchill had previously admitted to nine sex offenses during a hearing at Worcester Magistrates’ Court last month. These included multiple instances of assaulting a girl under the age of 13, with the abuse occurring over a period from August 7, 2017, to August 7, 2019. The charges also detailed his creation of indecent images of children, with the images classified into categories A, B, and C, reflecting the severity of the material. Specifically, he was found to have made 32 Category A images—considered the most extreme—alongside 65 Category B images and 229 Category C images, all between July 14, 2017, and September 8, 2019.

In addition to the image-related offenses, Churchill was charged with possessing a staggering total of 3,036 extreme images of children, which he accumulated over a period from May 30, 2015, to September 8, 2019. He also possessed 269 images classified as extreme pornographic material between October 29, 2011, and September 8, 2019. Further allegations include causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity on February 4, 2012, the same date he was accused of assaulting a girl through inappropriate touching, and recording an indecent video of a child on that same day.

The court scheduled the next hearing for November 29, with proceedings expected to last between 45 minutes and an hour. During the session, Judge Burbidge issued a stern warning to Churchill, indicating that he was likely facing a significant custodial sentence due to the gravity of his crimes. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Churchill was granted conditional bail, allowing him to remain free until the sentencing hearing. His residence is listed as Glanford, Hanley Swan, near Worcester, where he awaits the outcome of the judicial process that could see him serve a lengthy prison term for his disturbing offenses.