WINNERSH MAN STEVEN COSTON SENTENCED FOR OVER 18,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Winnersh, Steven Coston, a 52-year-old resident of Reading Road, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images of children. The investigation, carried out by Thames Valley Police, uncovered that Coston had accumulated more than 18,000 such images on his personal computer, a discovery that led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

On Friday, March 23, at Reading Crown Court, Coston pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The case was brought to light following a detailed investigation by law enforcement authorities, which involved executing a warrant at his residence on June 7, 2016. During this operation, police seized multiple electronic devices, including computers and phones, which were later subjected to meticulous analysis.

Detective Constable Peter Cave, who led the investigation, explained that the devices contained a staggering number of images categorized by severity. Among the images, over 1,000 were classified as Category A, representing the most severe and disturbing type of child abuse material. Additionally, the devices held 2,566 images classified as Category B and an overwhelming 14,750 images deemed Category C. The police also discovered four videos related to the abuse material on Coston’s devices.

The timeline of the illegal downloads spanned from November 17, 2011, to June 7, 2016, indicating a prolonged period during which Coston was actively acquiring these illicit images. Following the execution of the warrant, Coston was promptly arrested. After a thorough investigation, he was formally charged on December 18 of the previous year.

In court, Coston was sentenced to 14 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period. The court also imposed additional penalties, including a requirement for Coston to complete 150 hours of community service and participate in a rehabilitation activity program aimed at addressing his behavior.

Furthermore, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued against him, restricting his activities and contact with minors. He was also placed under a Sex Offenders Notification Requirement, mandating regular reporting of his whereabouts and activities to authorities. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Thames Valley Police to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from harm.