NEIL HILEY FROM BOSCOMBE JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN BOURNEMOUTH

In April 2010, a distressing case unfolded involving Neil Hiley, a man from Boscombe, who was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of possessing a significant collection of child pornography. The case drew considerable attention due to the shocking nature of the offences and the personal stories shared by those close to him.

Jenny, a woman who had been in a relationship with Hiley for six years, publicly expressed her unwavering support for him despite the gravity of his crimes. She revealed her feelings in an interview with the Daily Echo, emphasizing her continued love for Hiley, who was 48 years old at the time. Jenny described her disbelief and emotional turmoil upon discovering the extent of her partner’s illegal activities, which involved downloading thousands of indecent images of children onto their home computer.

The incident that marked a turning point occurred on Friday, June 13, 2008, a day Jenny describes as unforgettable. She recounted the harrowing experience of police officers arriving at her residence early in the morning, seizing her partner’s computer equipment, and conducting a thorough investigation. Jenny recalled that it was 6:45 am when the officers arrived, and she had to ask for permission to get dressed before they began their search. She described the officers as being kind and understanding, but the shock of the situation was overwhelming.

Jenny admitted her initial naivety, stating that she never suspected Hiley of being involved in child pornography. She explained that he was studying for a law degree through the Open University, which made her believe he was focused on legitimate academic pursuits. The revelation of his addiction to viewing indecent images of children was a devastating blow, and she expressed her disbelief that such a dark secret could exist behind the facade of her partner’s life.

Legal proceedings revealed the disturbing details of Hiley’s activities. Bournemouth Crown Court heard that police specialists discovered over 6,000 indecent images of children on his computer. Prosecutor Jason Spelman highlighted that Hiley, of Christchurch Road, Boscombe, had admitted to having a fetish for females as young as seven years old. Hiley pleaded guilty to 26 charges related to the creation and possession of indecent photographs of children.

Following his confession to police and his parents, Hiley sought help to address his compulsive behavior. During sentencing, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC addressed the court and emphasized the societal outrage over such crimes. He pointed out that among the images found, more than 100 depicted sadistic sexual violence involving girls aged between eight and eleven. The judge underscored that society must condemn such conduct and that Hiley’s admission of his fetish meant he could no longer hide behind the notion of privacy.

As part of his sentence, Hiley was ordered to register as a sex offender and was prohibited from being in the company of any child under 18 unless accompanied by an adult. After Hiley was taken away, Jenny reaffirmed her support for him, stating, “I still love Neil and will stand by him; I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe we will get back together again one day.” She expressed her hope that he would receive the necessary treatment for his addiction and any related issues, including alcohol problems. Jenny also reassured that her children and grandchildren, some of whom had visited their home, were never at risk, asserting that if they had been, Hiley would have been removed from their lives.

Jenny reflected on her belief that Hiley’s actions were a cry for help and that he might have intentionally sought to get caught. Despite her lack of technical knowledge, she believed he was clever enough to hide his tracks. She had hoped for a suspended sentence that would allow him to undergo therapy, and she maintained that, despite viewing the disturbing images, she did not consider him a danger to children, attributing his behavior to a troubled mind and fantasy rather than real-world harm.