STEVEN HEATHER FROM STRETFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN MANCHESTER

In April 2001, a significant legal case unfolded involving Steven Heather, a 30-year-old man from Stretford, who was convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children. The case drew considerable attention due to the severity of his offenses and the recent implementation of stricter laws targeting internet-based child exploitation.

Judge Adrian Smith presided over Heather's sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. The court heard that Heather had a troubling history of engaging with child pornography online. He was already serving a two-year probation period after authorities discovered approximately 2,000 disturbing images stored on his computer's hard drive in 1999. Despite being ordered to attend a sex offender treatment program in April 1999, Heather failed to comply, citing his employment as a long-distance HGV driver as the reason for his absence.

Heather’s criminal activities came under scrutiny during a major police operation known as Operation Appal, which targeted online child exploitation. As part of this extensive investigation, police raided 45 homes across Britain, arresting 33 suspects. The Greater Manchester Obscene Publications Squad, concerned about Heather’s potential risk to children, prioritized his apprehension. They had been monitoring known paedophile websites and intercepted emails from Heather, including one sent on Christmas Day, in which he solicited images from other perverts.

Two weeks prior to his arrest, police executed a raid on Heather’s residence on Hornby Road, Stretford. During the operation, officers discovered a CD containing 30 horrifying images of children, which had been downloaded from the internet. Heather managed to escape to France but later surrendered himself to authorities on March 2. During police interviews, Heather admitted to viewing obscene images daily, explaining, “Because I’m sick.”

At the court hearing, Heather pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of possessing a CD with such images. The judge, recognizing the gravity of his offenses, sentenced him to six months in prison. Additionally, Heather was placed under an extended license for 24 months following his release, meaning he would be under supervision by probation officers until 2003. He was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

Judge Smith emphasized that Heather’s case was somewhat different from others because there was no evidence of distribution or sale of the images, and the images appeared to have been downloaded solely for personal use. The court acknowledged Heather’s efforts to address his issues, including removing his computer, which he claimed was an attempt to resist temptation. The judge stated, “These are images of real children, and while you are not accused of abusing a child directly, the seriousness lies in the fact that there is a market for these images, which degrades and harms children.”

Despite Heather’s efforts to distance himself from his online activities, investigators found that he had re-engaged in searching for such material, setting up an account and browsing the web again. A search warrant executed later uncovered a CD containing images involving an eight-year-old girl engaged in sexual acts with an adult. Heather claimed he had sold his computer to a friend, which prevented authorities from seizing it.

Defense lawyer Robert Kearney stated that Heather had been honest with police and recognized his need for help. Kearney explained that Heather had sold his computer to eliminate temptation, saying, “He was asked why he decided to get rid of everything, and he said: ‘It was either top myself or change my lifestyle.’” The case highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating online child exploitation and the importance of strict legal measures to protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.