CHESTERFIELD MAN ALUN WATERHOUSE SENTENCED FOR DOWNLOAD OF OVER 20,000 CHILD SEXUAL IMAGES IN DERBYSHIRE

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Alun Waterhouse, aged 48, has been found guilty of possessing a vast collection of indecent images and videos depicting children. The incident was brought to light during a court hearing at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, January 23, where the details of Waterhouse’s criminal activities were thoroughly examined.

Waterhouse, who is known locally for his involvement with the award-winning Chesterfield Alehouse located on West Bars, was identified as the individual responsible for downloading and storing over 20,000 illicit images and movies of minors. The case emerged after police investigations traced the internet activity associated with his home address on Spencer Street, Chesterfield. Authorities revealed that the investigation was initiated following reports concerning the defendant’s online behavior, specifically related to peer-to-peer sharing networks.

According to the prosecution, the police executed a search warrant at Waterhouse’s residence on June 19 of the previous year. During the search, officers seized multiple computer devices and other electronic storage media. Waterhouse was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. During police interviews, he admitted to the offenses, revealing that he had been downloading such material for approximately ten years. He explained that these images would often appear while he was searching for adult pornography, prompting him to seek out and save images of children, which he then stored on his computer.

The court heard that the material found on Waterhouse’s devices was categorized into three levels of severity. There were ten images and fifty videos classified as Category A, which involved children aged between six and fourteen. Category B included 116 images and 38 videos of children aged between ten and thirteen. The most numerous were Category C images, totaling 24,496, along with 49 videos, depicting minors aged between twelve and fourteen. These figures highlight the disturbing extent of his collection and the grave nature of his offenses.

Waterhouse, who had no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The charges spanned a period from November 2012 to June 2018, indicating a prolonged period of offending. The court considered his guilty plea and the circumstances of the case in determining his sentence.

In sentencing, Recorder Evans imposed a custodial term of 16 months, suspended for two years. The sentence also included a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 160 hours of unpaid community work. Additionally, Waterhouse was ordered to pay costs amounting to £300, and a victim surcharge was also imposed. The judge issued a stern warning that should Waterhouse fail to comply with the conditions of his suspended sentence, he would face immediate imprisonment. Furthermore, he was placed under a ten-year Sexual Offences Protection Order, restricting his activities and contact to prevent further harm.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, and it serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences faced by those involved in such heinous crimes.