PHILIP KEEBLE FROM WITHAM ESCAPES JAIL AFTER DOWNLOAD OF NEARLY 200,000 CHILD IMAGES IN CHELMSFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community of Witham, Philip Keeble, a 48-year-old man, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images of children, totaling nearly 200,000 files. The investigation into Keeble’s activities began in November 2017 when police executed a warrant at his residence, leading to the seizure of multiple electronic devices, including a hard drive and two laptops. These devices contained a vast array of illicit images, which Keeble had stored on his personal computers.

Following a thorough investigation that spanned over 20 months, authorities charged Keeble with multiple offenses related to the possession of indecent images. The police found that he had downloaded a significant number of images classified into different categories based on their severity. Specifically, the authorities recovered 3,643 images categorized as A, 1,715 as B, and a staggering 188,845 as C. The images predominantly depicted young females aged between 12 and 14, but disturbing evidence also revealed the presence of images of children as young as three to five years old.

Prosecutor Kathy Hirst explained during the court proceedings that Keeble had utilized computer software called Torrent to access and download these illicit images. She emphasized that he regularly downloaded the images in bulk, indicating a pattern of ongoing activity rather than isolated incidents. The court was told that Keeble’s actions demonstrated a disturbing level of engagement with illegal material.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, Keeble pleaded guilty to all charges. The court heard that his cooperation and previous good character played a role in the sentencing decision. Despite the severity of the crimes, Keeble was handed a 15-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he received two concurrent six-month suspended sentences for the possession of Category B and C images. The court also mandated that Keeble participate in a rehabilitation program aimed at addressing his behavior and ordered him to comply with a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his access to certain online activities and contact with minors.

Judge Christopher Morgan acknowledged Keeble’s cooperation and character, which influenced the decision to avoid immediate imprisonment. Nonetheless, the court made it clear that the nature of the crimes was serious, and the measures imposed were intended to protect the community and prevent future offenses. The case has raised concerns about online safety and the importance of vigilance in monitoring digital activity, especially in small communities like Witham where such disturbing cases can have a profound impact.