MICHAEL BOUCHER FROM WADEBRIDGE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE DELAY

In July 2023, a disturbing case involving Michael James Boucher, a 34-year-old former teacher from Wadebridge, unfolded in Truro Crown Court, revealing a lengthy and complex investigation into his possession of indecent images of children. Despite the gravity of the charges, Boucher was spared immediate imprisonment due to an extraordinary backlog within the judicial system that delayed his court appearance by three years.

Michael Boucher, who resides on Rowan Road in Wadebridge, faced three counts of making indecent images of children after police uncovered a significant collection of illicit material stored on his devices. The case was initiated after authorities received a referral from the National Crime Agency, which linked a Snapchat account operated by Boucher to the uploading of indecent images. This connection prompted a series of investigations and searches at his residence.

When police officers arrived at Boucher’s Wadebridge home, they seized multiple electronic devices for examination. During the initial search, Boucher cooperated by providing account information for most of his online profiles, but he refused to disclose details related to his Snapchat account. Following further investigation, authorities obtained a warrant based on IP addresses associated with his activity. However, subsequent searches yielded no additional evidence, and no further charges were filed. During police interviews, Boucher chose to remain silent, offering no comment on the allegations or the seized devices.

The devices contained a disturbing collection of images and videos depicting children aged between two and eight years old. The material was categorized into three levels of severity: 105 images and videos classified as Category A, which included the most serious content such as children being raped; 56 items classified as Category B; and 178 items in Category C. The illicit material was produced between 2017 and 2020, highlighting a period of several years during which Boucher was active in collecting and possibly sharing such content.

During sentencing, Judge Simon Carr acknowledged Boucher’s guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, which was taken into account. The judge expressed concern over the nature of the images, especially the Category A material involving moving images of children being sexually abused. Despite the severity of the case, the judge noted Boucher’s previously good character and his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which he said contributed to his social isolation and potential susceptibility to offending.

Judge Carr explained that the delay in bringing the case to court was due to an overwhelming backlog in the judicial system, which caused the three-year wait. Ultimately, Boucher was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he reoffended within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and to undergo one-to-one rehabilitation therapy aimed at addressing his offending behavior. The court also mandated that all devices seized during the investigation be destroyed to prevent further distribution of the illicit material.

Beyond the courtroom, Boucher is known for his involvement in the Wadebridge community as the operator of the Wadebridge Coasters Cycling Club, a detail that underscores the stark contrast between his public persona and the criminal allegations against him.