SAMUEL WILLIAMS FROM HASLINGDEN CAUGHT IN SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN BURNLEY

In September 2018, Samuel Williams, a man residing in Haslingden, found himself at the center of a serious legal case involving multiple breaches of court orders and possession of indecent images of children. The sequence of events reveals a disturbing pattern of behavior that led to his conviction and sentencing, highlighting the ongoing concerns about child exploitation and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders.

Williams, aged 23 at the time, had previously been convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images of minors. On June 13, he was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court to serve a five-year sexual harm prevention order after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child. This court order mandated that Williams produce any internet-enabled devices upon request by police and prohibited him from deleting his internet browsing history, aiming to prevent further offenses and monitor his online activity.

Despite these restrictions, Williams was found to have violated the court order within just a month of its issuance. The breach came to light when police officers responded to his residence on Bury Road in Haslingden, following complaints from neighbors about threats. Upon arrival, officers observed that Williams was hesitant to open the door, taking some time before allowing them inside. Once inside, the officers inquired about his possession of internet-enabled devices. Williams initially denied having any such devices, including a mobile phone, claiming he was avoiding the internet to stay out of trouble.

However, police officers detected inconsistencies in his statements. They noticed an internet hub in his living room, which contradicted his claim of abstaining from online activity. Further investigation in his bedroom uncovered a phone charger plugged into an outlet and a mobile phone concealed between his bed and mattress. Williams admitted that the phone was his and that he had been in possession of it for two weeks. He was subsequently taken to the police station for further questioning.

During the interview, Williams accepted all charges laid against him, including failing to disclose the possession of the smartphone, not providing the device for inspection, and deleting his internet history—actions that directly contravened the court order. His guilty plea underscored his acknowledgment of the breaches. Judge Jonathan Gibson later sentenced Williams to four weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with a fine of £100 to cover prosecution costs, which would be deducted from his benefits.

Earlier in June 2018, Williams was also involved in a separate but related case concerning the possession of highly disturbing images. Police executed a search warrant at his Haslingden home and seized a laptop and USB stick containing a total of 87 Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, along with 59 Category B and 120 Category C images. Williams admitted to police that he had started viewing such images after his brother’s death and claimed he received them through internet chat sites. He also disclosed that he had used cocaine during this period, which he believed contributed to his behavior.

Williams pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of distributing a Category B image. The court heard that during the police interview, he acknowledged sharing an image of a child online and using the images for pornography. He denied intentionally saving the images on his computer, claiming he had deleted them. However, a forensic examination of his laptop revealed search terms indicative of illegal activity and suggested he was deliberately seeking out such content.

Judge Gibson described the images as depicting “dreadful sexual abuse of children,” emphasizing the severity of the offense. As part of his sentence, Williams was ordered to complete a three-year community order, including participation in a sex offender treatment program and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, he was mandated to pay £800 in costs, sign the sex offenders register for five years, and was issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

These cases underscore the persistent threat posed by individuals like Samuel Williams, who, despite legal restrictions, continue to engage in activities that exploit and harm vulnerable children. The authorities’ actions reflect a firm stance against such offenses, aiming to protect the community and prevent future crimes.