TREVOR HARTWELL FROM BIGGLESWADE ADMITS TO CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENCES AT LUTON CROWN COURT

In August 2014, a troubling case emerged involving Trevor Hartwell, a resident of Holme Crescent in Biggleswade, who faced serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. Hartwell, who was a member of the Central Bedfordshire Independent Advisory Group—a civilian organization providing advice to police authorities—admitted to engaging in activities that involved viewing and collecting such illicit material.

Initially, Hartwell claimed that his interest in these disturbing images was purely for research purposes, asserting that he was not interested in children and that his actions were motivated by a desire to understand how easily such content could be accessed online. His solicitor, Paul Orton, emphasized that Hartwell’s offending was a one-time lapse in judgment and that he had no prior criminal record. Orton stated, “But he has pleaded guilty and admits this was a one-off error of judgment.”

During the proceedings at Luton Crown Court, Judge Philip Bartle QC acknowledged Hartwell’s otherwise clean record and the respect he had garnered within his community. The judge remarked, “It is tragic to see someone of your age with no previous convictions before a Crown Court. You have obviously led a blameless life hitherto and people speak of you with great warmth and look up to you. Nothing would be gained by sending you to prison.”

Prosecutor Daniel Fugallo detailed the investigation, revealing that Hartwell’s position within the advisory group had brought him into contact with senior police officers. In May of the previous year, Hartwell confided to an officer that he had viewed indecent images online under the guise of research. This admission prompted police to visit his home, where they seized his computer and conducted an interview. Hartwell explained that he had used search terms involving young girls to access these sites, intending to assess how easily such material could be found. He further admitted that he revisited these sites to verify if the content was still available.

Fugallo also disclosed that Hartwell had been targeted by a scam message claiming to be from Bedfordshire Police, which falsely stated he needed to pay a fine for viewing illegal images. This message frightened him, adding to the distress of the case. The police investigation uncovered a total of 37 images on Hartwell’s device, including two classified at the most serious level of indecency.

In sentencing, Judge Bartle ordered Hartwell to complete a three-year community order, which includes attending 35 sessions of a specialized internet sex offenders program. Additionally, Hartwell is required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for five years and adhere to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the same period, which restricts his contact with children. The judge emphasized the rarity of such cases involving individuals of Hartwell’s age and background, suggesting that incarceration would not serve the interests of justice in this instance.