LONG ASHTON MAN STEPHEN WILKS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN BRISTOL
| Red Rose Database
Long Ashton Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Long Ashton, Stephen Wilks, a 28-year-old resident of Fishers Mead, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in online sexual communication with an 11-year-old girl, exchanging explicit images, and possessing a significant collection of child abuse photographs.
Wilks had established contact with the young girl through online chats, where their conversations gradually took on a sexual tone. Court proceedings revealed that Wilks made explicit requests for a nude photograph of the girl, which she sent, along with a picture of her topless. In response, Wilks sent her a graphic image of his erect penis. The court was told that the exchanges included references to bondage, indicating a disturbing level of sexual content.
Authorities recovered approximately 2,000 images of child abuse from Wilks's computer, which were classified into various categories based on their severity. Among these, 900 images were categorized as most serious (category A), with an additional 449 in category B and 878 in category C. Police also found 12 movies in category A, 18 in category B, and three in category C. These findings underscored the extent of Wilks's possession of indecent material involving minors.
Prosecutor Caroline Bolt detailed the progression of Wilks's online interactions with the girl, emphasizing that the chats became increasingly sexualized. She explained that Wilks explicitly asked for a naked photograph, which the girl provided, and that he reciprocated with an explicit image of himself. The girl's mother became aware of the contact but chose not to report it immediately, fearing her daughter's wishes. However, as contact persisted over several months, the mother eventually alerted authorities after her daughter expressed her desire to cease communication.
Following the police investigation, Wilks was arrested. A search of his home uncovered a collection of indecent images of children, downloaded using specific search terms. The police found a total of 2,787 images and videos, with the most severe images in category A. The victim impact statement presented in court highlighted the psychological harm inflicted on the young girl, a point supported by her mental health records.
During the hearing, Wilks pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch sexual acts, and possessing indecent photographs of children. Judge Michael Longman addressed Wilks directly, noting that while a probation officer considered his risk to be manageable within the community, the court must also reflect the seriousness of his actions and the public's distaste for such behavior. As part of his sentence, Wilks was subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to prevent any future offending. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was prohibited from working with children.
Wilks's defense attorney, Darren Burleigh, argued that his client had shown remorse by pleading guilty and did not wish to prolong the suffering of the victim. He suggested that Wilks was beginning to understand the impact of his actions and expressed concern that imprisonment might destabilize him further, potentially increasing the risk of reoffending. The defense also pointed out that Wilks, who had previously been of good character, might have been suffering from depression at the time of the offenses, possibly affecting his judgment. The court acknowledged Wilks's troubled background and the potential influence of his personal circumstances but emphasized the need for a firm response to his criminal behavior, given the severity of the crimes committed.
Wilks had established contact with the young girl through online chats, where their conversations gradually took on a sexual tone. Court proceedings revealed that Wilks made explicit requests for a nude photograph of the girl, which she sent, along with a picture of her topless. In response, Wilks sent her a graphic image of his erect penis. The court was told that the exchanges included references to bondage, indicating a disturbing level of sexual content.
Authorities recovered approximately 2,000 images of child abuse from Wilks's computer, which were classified into various categories based on their severity. Among these, 900 images were categorized as most serious (category A), with an additional 449 in category B and 878 in category C. Police also found 12 movies in category A, 18 in category B, and three in category C. These findings underscored the extent of Wilks's possession of indecent material involving minors.
Prosecutor Caroline Bolt detailed the progression of Wilks's online interactions with the girl, emphasizing that the chats became increasingly sexualized. She explained that Wilks explicitly asked for a naked photograph, which the girl provided, and that he reciprocated with an explicit image of himself. The girl's mother became aware of the contact but chose not to report it immediately, fearing her daughter's wishes. However, as contact persisted over several months, the mother eventually alerted authorities after her daughter expressed her desire to cease communication.
Following the police investigation, Wilks was arrested. A search of his home uncovered a collection of indecent images of children, downloaded using specific search terms. The police found a total of 2,787 images and videos, with the most severe images in category A. The victim impact statement presented in court highlighted the psychological harm inflicted on the young girl, a point supported by her mental health records.
During the hearing, Wilks pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch sexual acts, and possessing indecent photographs of children. Judge Michael Longman addressed Wilks directly, noting that while a probation officer considered his risk to be manageable within the community, the court must also reflect the seriousness of his actions and the public's distaste for such behavior. As part of his sentence, Wilks was subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to prevent any future offending. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was prohibited from working with children.
Wilks's defense attorney, Darren Burleigh, argued that his client had shown remorse by pleading guilty and did not wish to prolong the suffering of the victim. He suggested that Wilks was beginning to understand the impact of his actions and expressed concern that imprisonment might destabilize him further, potentially increasing the risk of reoffending. The defense also pointed out that Wilks, who had previously been of good character, might have been suffering from depression at the time of the offenses, possibly affecting his judgment. The court acknowledged Wilks's troubled background and the potential influence of his personal circumstances but emphasized the need for a firm response to his criminal behavior, given the severity of the crimes committed.