ANDREW CHAPPEL OF HULL CAUGHT IN CHILD PORN AND ONLINE SEXUALISED CHAT SCANDAL
In May 2020, shocking details emerged about Andrew Chappel, a 61-year-old resident of Rosedale Grove in Hull, who was found to possess child pornography and engage in disturbing online conversations with a supposed 12-year-old boy.Chappel, who previously worked as a probation case management officer and also had roles involving young people within a housing association, became the subject of a police investigation after allegations of online sexualised chats surfaced.
Authorities uncovered that Chappel attempted to communicate with a child for sexual gratification over a period spanning from September 9 to September 19, 2016.
During this period, he engaged in conversations that revealed his sexual interest in the boy, making explicit references to sexual acts and expressing feelings of arousal, or being 'horny.' The Gloucester Crown Court heard that Chappel admitted to possessing indecent images of children, which included four Category A images—classified as the most serious—along with 19 Category B and 110 Category C images.
These images were found on his electronic devices, with the offences dating between December 31, 2015, and May 14, 2017.
Prosecutor Janine Wood explained that Gloucestershire Police became aware of Chappel through an online report indicating he was involved in sexualised chats concerning young children.
Following his arrest on May 12, 2017, police examined his phone and laptop, discovering numerous conversations in which he discussed child abuse.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Chappel used the alias ‘Bikerman’ and was engaged in chats with a user named ‘Joy2bWild1,’ who claimed to be the mother of a 12-year-old boy.
These conversations spanned eight days, from September 10 to September 18, 2016.
The ‘mother’ purportedly asked Chappel to speak with her son because he was reportedly struggling with his sexuality.
In these exchanges, Chappel admitted to being aroused by the boy and referenced sexual acts, even stating, “I got quite aroused talking to him about sex.” It was also noted that ‘Joy2bWild1’ claimed to be the boy’s mother, but police were unable to verify whether this persona or the boy himself were real or fictitious.
There was speculation that the individuals involved might be located in America, but this could not be confirmed.
In addition to the chat evidence, police found multiple indecent images of children across all three categories of severity on Chappel’s devices.
Despite his claims that the chats were purely fantasy and that he had no real intention of harming a child, he acknowledged that he had no sexual interest in children and that his actions were driven by a desire for titillation.
Judge Ian Lawrie, QC, sentenced Chappel to a three-year community order.
As part of his rehabilitation, Chappel was required to participate in a 40-day programme and undertake thirty days of additional rehabilitation activities.
Addressing Chappel directly, the judge remarked, “It may have seemed just fantasy to you, but looking at those images, someone somewhere has been abused for the taking of those photos, and you have derived deviant pleasure from viewing them.
However, there has been no hint of this in your past life, and you have worked in roles that brought you into contact with children without complaint.”
