PAUL HUXSTEP FROM STONEHOUSE SENTENCED FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In September 2021, a man from Stonehouse, identified as 63-year-old Paul Huxstep, faced serious allegations related to the distribution of indecent images of children. The case was heard at Gloucester Crown Court, where Huxstep was ultimately spared an immediate custodial sentence but faced significant legal consequences for his actions.

Prosecutor Ieuan Callaghan provided detailed insights into the case, explaining that Gloucestershire Police initiated their investigation after receiving two referrals from the National Crime Agency. These referrals indicated that indecent images of children were being uploaded from an IP address registered to Huxstep in Stonehouse. The NCA's analysis revealed that the suspect had used a Yahoo email account and accessed the Kik chatroom website on August 6, 2019, during which he uploaded a category B indecent image of a child. Further uploads occurred on August 27, 2019, from the same IP address, which included a variety of images: one in category A, three in category B, and one in category C.

Despite the evidence, police did not arrest Huxstep immediately. It was nearly a year later, in July 2020, that officers executed a search warrant at his residence on Brockley Road, Leonard Stanley. During the search, they seized multiple electronic devices, including a mobile phone and a tablet. Subsequent analysis of these devices uncovered internet activity, including a Skype chat with a woman from Ghana. The chat appeared to discuss the sending of money in exchange for indecent images, although police found no concrete evidence of such transactions.

In police interviews, Huxstep admitted to possessing and uploading the images but denied any involvement in purchasing images of children. His defense was noted during the proceedings, but the court was presented with substantial evidence of his guilt.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC addressed the court, referencing a pre-sentence report in which Huxstep claimed he had no sexual interest in children. The judge remarked that while there might be an explanation for a single image, the presence of multiple images suggested a pattern that could be habit-forming. Huxstep pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including distributing indecent images of a child in categories A and C on August 27, 2019, and distributing four images in category B between August 5 and August 28, 2019. He also admitted to making two category B indecent photographs of a child on August 6, 2019.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Lawrie emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating that the court had been considering a custodial term. He condemned Huxstep for betraying the trust of his wife and family, as well as the girls depicted in the images. The judge highlighted the emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the victims, noting that the children, around the age of eight, would carry the scars of this trauma for the rest of their lives.

Despite the severity of the crimes, the judge acknowledged mitigating factors, including a supportive letter from Huxstep’s wife and references indicating that his offending was out of character. The court was told that Huxstep was a loving and supportive husband and the sole carer for his wife.

Ultimately, Huxstep was sentenced to a prison term of one year and eight months, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activities, attend monthly judicial reviews, and pay court costs of £425 along with a victim surcharge of £149. The court further ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all electronic devices seized during the investigation. Additionally, Huxstep was placed on the sex offender register for ten years and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which restricted his internet use for the same period. These measures aim to prevent any future offending and protect potential victims from harm.