PHILIP HILSTROP FROM CROMER AND NORWICH CAUGHT IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGES BREACH

In a case that has once again brought the spotlight onto Philip Hilstrop, a man with a troubling history linked to child exploitation, the former Methodist minister from Norwich has been found guilty of breaching a court order by possessing a mobile phone capable of taking photographs, despite previous restrictions.

Hilstrop, aged 63 and residing on Queen's Road in Norwich, was initially convicted in 2011 for possessing over 1,000 indecent images of children. His original sentence included a four-month prison term, which was suspended for two years, along with a court order that prohibited him from working with children and mandated his participation in a rehabilitation program. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register and subject to a sexual offences prevention order that specifically banned him from possessing a mobile phone with a camera outside his home.

The recent court proceedings, held at Norwich Crown Court, revealed that Hilstrop had violated these restrictions on multiple occasions. Between January 2012 and August 2013, and again from January 2012 to May 2013, he was found to have used a mobile device capable of capturing images, which was a direct breach of the court order. The breaches included taking what he described as 'ordinary tourist photographs' during a holiday in Spain. The court was informed that there was no evidence to suggest he had taken any inappropriate photographs of children during these trips.

Prosecutor Martin Ivory explained that police, during a routine check, discovered Hilstrop in possession of a camera-equipped phone. Further investigation uncovered an iPhone that Hilstrop had failed to disclose to authorities. The defense, represented by Michael Clare, argued that these breaches were purely technical and not indicative of any malicious intent. Clare emphasized that the photographs taken, including one of an Easter procession in Spain, were harmless and that Hilstrop had not realized the severity of possessing such a device under the restrictions.

Clare also pointed out that Hilstrop had replaced his previous phone, which had been dropped down a toilet, without informing police. The court heard that Hilstrop now owns a mobile phone without a camera to avoid further violations. Judge Stephen Holt, expressing concern over the breaches, ordered a full report and postponed sentencing until June 6 to allow for further assessment.

Throughout the proceedings, Hilstrop maintained that he was honest about his sexual attractions, acknowledging that he has a sexual attraction to young boys, which he is actively trying to address. His case continues to raise questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and rehabilitation efforts for individuals with such convictions, especially those residing in communities like Cromer and Norwich where his previous offenses have cast a long shadow.