STEPHEN FINCHAM FROM LANGDON HILLS JAILED FOR POSSESSING 2,500 INDECENT CHILD IMAGES

In a significant case that has drawn considerable attention from local authorities and the community, Stephen Fincham, a 61-year-old resident of Healthleigh Drive in Langdon Hills, has been sentenced to a one-year prison term after being found in possession of an alarming number of indecent images of children. The court also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Fincham, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing concern for public safety.

The criminal proceedings stem from an incident that came to light on December 11, 2018, when Essex Police received credible information indicating that indecent images had been uploaded from Fincham’s property on November 26 of the previous year. Acting swiftly, law enforcement officials obtained a search warrant for Fincham’s residence and executed it on December 22. During the search, officers seized multiple electronic devices, which were subsequently examined for illicit content.

The investigation revealed a disturbing collection of 2,577 indecent images of children, with 89 classified in the most serious category of abuse. These findings underscored the gravity of Fincham’s actions and prompted the court to impose a sentence of 12 months for each of the four counts related to the possession of indecent images, with all sentences running concurrently. Additionally, Fincham will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, a measure designed to monitor his activities and prevent further offenses.

Detective Sergeant Jim Adams, from the Police Online Investigations Team, commented on the case, stating, “As soon as it became clear that indecent images were being uploaded from Fincham’s property, we successfully executed a warrant at his address. Devices were seized and thousands of indecent images of varying categories were found on them. Fincham will serve time in prison and will have conditions placed on him through a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, helping us to monitor him and his access to devices.”

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies in Essex to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting vulnerable children from harm.