WILLIAM CRAIG OF BRIZE NORTON JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN OXFORD

In June 2009, William Craig, an RAF serviceman stationed at RAF Brize Norton, was sentenced to a two-year prison term after being found guilty of possessing and distributing child sexual images, as well as attempting to exploit an underage girl through online communications.

Craig, who held the rank of Senior Aircraftman and was part of the Technical Communications Wing (TWC) at RAF Brize Norton, was discovered to have an extensive collection of over 1,200 indecent images of children stored on his computer. The court was informed that his disturbing online activity extended beyond mere possession; he actively sought out and viewed numerous websites featuring explicit images of minors, and engaged in webcam conversations with teenage girls, during which he coerced them into stripping naked.

Prosecutor Peter Coombe detailed that Craig’s criminal conduct was persistent and continued even after he was charged. Specifically, he continued downloading illicit images and sent lewd messages to an 11-year-old girl, asking her to pose in sexualized images. The court heard that Craig’s obsession with young girls was evident, and his actions demonstrated a troubling pattern of behavior.

The police investigation began in July 2007 when officers seized Craig’s computer from the airbase near Carterton. An initial examination revealed hundreds of indecent images, with further searches uncovering additional material on a replacement computer obtained four months later. When questioned about his continued downloading, Craig reportedly responded, “everything in life has risks,” indicating a reckless disregard for the law and the safety of children.

During the trial, Craig admitted to seven counts of making indecent images, as well as charges of inciting a child into pornography, encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, and possessing an indecent image on his mobile phone. The police’s findings included a total of 1,258 images, categorized across different levels of severity, with the majority at the lowest level but still including some at the second, third, and fourth levels, the latter being the most serious.

In addition to the images, the court heard that Craig had engaged in inappropriate online behavior, including making teenage girls strip during webcam chats. Despite being charged, he continued his offending behavior, which the judge described as obsessive and potentially compulsive. Judge Mary-Jane Mowat emphasized the danger Craig posed to children, stating, “You are a high risk to children.”

Craig, who was discharged from the RAF just a week prior to sentencing, was living with a girlfriend in Nottingham, who the court was told had pledged her support. The judge sentenced him to serve two years in prison for each of the counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, Craig was ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for ten years and was banned from working with children, owning a computer, or participating in online chatrooms.

His sentencing underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing threat posed by individuals with such disturbing online behaviors, especially those with access to sensitive environments like military bases.