GRANTHAM MAN ANDREW GWYTHER SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND VIDEOS IN LINCOLN

In a serious case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Grantham, Andrew Gwyther, aged 49, has been handed a significant prison sentence following his involvement in the possession and creation of indecent images and videos depicting children. The proceedings took place at Lincoln Crown Court, where Gwyther was sentenced to eight months behind bars for possessing a total of 37 indecent images of minors. These images were discovered on his personal computer, which police seized during a raid. Alongside his custodial sentence, Gwyther was also subjected to a five-year Sexual Offences Protection Order, a legal measure designed to restrict his activities and prevent further offenses.

Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Victoria Midgley emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “It sends out a very strong message to those that view and download indecent images of children.” Her comments underscore the serious stance law enforcement takes against individuals involved in such crimes, highlighting the importance of deterrence and justice in protecting vulnerable minors.

Prior to this sentencing, Gwyther had already appeared in court in February 2015, where he pleaded guilty to a series of related charges. He admitted to owning 40 movies containing indecent material involving children, including 20 videos classified as Category A, which is considered the most extreme form of such content. The victims in these videos were children aged between four and six years old. Additionally, Gwyther confessed to possessing 10 Category B movies, seven Category C movies, and making three indecent videos of a child.

Details of the police operation reveal that the investigation was initiated on September 10, 2013, when authorities raided Gwyther’s residence at Ivatt Court, Grantham. The police traced online activity back to his IP address after discovering a shared folder containing indecent images. During the raid, officers seized a computer, which provided further evidence that Gwyther was actively using file-sharing networks to search for and download such material. The case was subsequently referred to Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing, where magistrate Robert Rowley remarked on the severity of the offenses, stating, “Offences on this file are so serious that it needs a greater punishment than we can give.”

As part of his bail conditions, Gwyther was ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, reflecting ongoing concerns about his potential risk to minors. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, and the legal consequences faced by those who commit such offenses in the Grantham area and beyond.