MATTHEW HIRST FROM NEW FOREST CAUGHT IN POLICE RAID OVER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In March 2019, authorities in the New Forest conducted a significant operation targeting Matthew Hirst, a 32-year-old man accused of possessing and sharing a vast collection of indecent images of children. The police action was triggered by a tip-off indicating that Hirst had been distributing illicit material via the messaging platform Kik, prompting a thorough investigation and subsequent raid on his residence.

During the police search, law enforcement officials seized Hirst’s electronic devices, including his laptop, iPhone, and iPad. A detailed forensic analysis of these devices uncovered a disturbing array of content. The investigation revealed the presence of 11 movies and 240 still images classified as Category A, which is designated for the most severe and explicit material. Additionally, there were five movies and 325 images categorized as Category B, along with a staggering 3,553 images falling under Category C, indicating a large volume of indecent content involving minors.

Prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles outlined the disturbing findings to Southampton Crown Court, emphasizing that most of the images depicted girls approximately 10 years old. However, some of the material was believed to feature children as young as seven. The evidence also showed that Hirst had actively distributed dozens of these images, further aggravating the severity of his actions.

Hirst appeared before the court to face multiple charges, including three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making such images, and an additional charge related to possessing prohibited images. Despite his previous good character, the court was presented with a serious case that demanded careful consideration.

His defense team, led by barrister Alejandra Tascon, submitted character references and highlighted that Hirst had been diagnosed with autism at the age of eight. The court also received a pre-sentence report from the probation service, which was intended to shed light on his background and potential for rehabilitation. However, Judge Peter Henry expressed dissatisfaction with the timing and substance of these reports, noting they were provided at a late stage and lacked sufficient evidence to influence his judgment.

Judge Henry emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating that they warranted a custodial sentence. After discussions with Ms. Tascon, he granted Hirst unconditional bail, allowing him to return to the community while awaiting sentencing at a later date. The judge warned the defense to be prepared, as the likelihood of an immediate custodial sentence was high given the seriousness of the crimes.

Furthermore, the judge expressed a need to understand the extent to which Hirst’s autism affected his offending behavior. He invited the defense to produce any relevant reports that could provide insight into his condition and its impact.

In a concerning development, it was revealed that prior to entering the courtroom, Hirst had been verbally threatened in the public area outside the court. Security personnel intervened to protect him from the threats. As a result, Judge Henry decided to impose a court order restricting the press from disclosing Hirst’s residence or the specific date of the sentencing hearing, citing safety concerns.

Prosecutor Aspinall-Miles also criticized the messaging platform Kik, highlighting ongoing concerns within law enforcement about its role in facilitating the distribution of indecent images. She noted that Kik is increasingly associated with cases involving child exploitation and illicit messaging, underscoring the platform’s problematic reputation in such investigations.