DENBIGH EX-ARMY SERGEANT MICHAEL CHARNLEY JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE VIA WEBCAM IN PHILIPPINES

In a disturbing case that highlights the global reach of online child exploitation, Michael Charnley, a 52-year-old former army sergeant from Denbigh, has been sentenced to five years in prison for orchestrating and directing child sex abuse videos through the internet. The heinous activities involved instructing children, possibly located in the Philippines, on how to perform sexual acts, all under his explicit guidance via webcam.

Charnley, who served 22 years in the British Army before being discharged with the rank of sergeant, admitted to multiple serious offences. These included four charges of inciting children to engage in sexual activities, as well as additional counts related to the production and possession of child abuse images and videos. The court was informed that he paid approximately £20 each time to online contacts, instructing them on how to abuse the children, some of whom were as young as two years old.

The court proceedings at Mold Crown Court revealed the disturbing details of his crimes. Judge Philip Hughes described the victims' distress as sometimes being audible during the abuse, emphasizing the severity of the trauma inflicted. The court heard that Charnley directed the abuse by entering chat lines on his computer, communicating with adults in other countries, and providing explicit instructions for the abuse to be recorded on video.

Law enforcement authorities from North Wales Police, who collaborated with international agencies, conducted a thorough investigation that led to Charnley's arrest. During the search, officers discovered a staggering collection of evidence, including approximately 10,000 images and 356 videos depicting child sexual abuse.

As part of his sentencing, Charnley was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward. Additionally, a sexual offences prevention order was imposed to further control his online conduct and prevent future offences.

Judge Hughes emphasized the gravity of Charnley's actions, stating, "You engaged in online chat lines, instructing others in different countries to abuse children on camera. Your instructions led to children being sexually exploited and recorded, often with their distress audible during the acts." The judge underscored the profound harm caused to the victims and the importance of the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed.