STEVE WAREHAM FROM MYNYDD ISA ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD INDECENT IMAGE CHARGES IN MOLD

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Steven Wareham, a resident of Carton Road in the village of Mynydd Isa, was brought before Mold Crown Court in November 2019 to face serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of minors. Despite the gravity of the charges, Wareham was ultimately handed a community-based sentence rather than imprisonment, a decision that has sparked debate about justice and rehabilitation.

According to court proceedings, Wareham had previously admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children, along with a charge of possessing prohibited images. The case was initiated after authorities acted on intelligence concerning suspicious internet activity linked to Wareham’s residence. On February 20, authorities executed a search warrant at his home, where he was present with his wife. During the search, law enforcement officials recovered multiple electronic devices, which were subsequently examined.

The digital devices contained a disturbing collection of material, including over 30 indecent images, one moving image, and more than 70 unique files. These files involved females aged between eight and 15, highlighting the disturbing nature of the content Wareham had stored. When questioned initially, Wareham chose to remain silent, and he was remanded under investigation. His search history was found to be consistent with child sexual abuse material, further implicating him in the offences.

During subsequent interviews, Wareham admitted to viewing the images and watching the video, but he maintained that he did not have a sexual interest in children. Notably, he had no prior criminal record, which was considered during sentencing. The court heard that the offences spanned over several years and included the possession of moving images, which are considered particularly serious.

Judge Niclas Parry acknowledged the severity of the case, emphasizing that the offences involved material for personal gratification over an extended period. He noted that Wareham’s early guilty plea was a mitigating factor, and there was no evidence suggesting he had distributed the images. The judge remarked on the disturbing nature of the content, which depicted young girls as young as eight being exploited.

Despite the seriousness of the charges, Judge Parry highlighted Wareham’s status as a new father, with a child just weeks old at the time of sentencing. The judge described him as a man of good character who had learned a hard lesson. He stated, “You now understand the implications of sexually abusing children. You are a father to a child of your own. You’re a young father with a life ahead of you. You have learnt your lesson.”

As part of his sentence, Wareham was given a two-year community order, which includes a requirement to attend 26 sessions of an intrusive and demanding rehabilitation program. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work. A five-year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, prohibiting him from possessing any device capable of deleting browsing history. Furthermore, Wareham was instructed to pay a contribution of £250 towards court costs within three months.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in dealing with offenders involved in child exploitation material, balancing punishment with opportunities for rehabilitation.