ANDREW HELMAN FROM PRESTON JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Preston, Andrew Ralph Helman, a 52-year-old former RAF air traffic controller, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for possessing a large collection of indecent images of children.The case came to light after a vigilant online child protection group conducted a sting operation, which ultimately led to Helman’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
According to court proceedings, Helman, who resides on Ellen Street in Preston, admitted to a series of serious offences related to the possession and distribution of indecent images.
The police investigation was initiated after the vigilante group claimed to have caught Helman attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl in a predatory online grooming attempt.
However, the group chose not to cooperate further with law enforcement, and as a result, no formal charges were initially filed based on their evidence.
Despite this, police took action when they raided Helman’s home in February 2015.
During the search, officers discovered that Helman had used an email account under the pseudonym “Kinkerbell,” which was linked to his illicit activities.
The authorities seized multiple computers and hard drives, which were later examined and found to contain a significant number of indecent images.
Prosecutor Peter Barr revealed that Helman was found to possess a staggering total of 684 indecent photographs of children.
In addition to this, he was charged with three counts of creating and distributing such images.
The evidence was deemed highly disturbing, especially considering that some of the images included moving footage, which is considered an aggravating factor in such cases.
During the court hearing at Preston Crown Court, Helman appeared dressed in a waistcoat and suit but showed no visible reaction to the judge’s remarks.
Judge Heather Lloyd addressed the court, stating, “It can’t be said you are of hitherto exemplary character because until you were stopped by police for about nine years you had been seeking out indecent images of children being abused.” She emphasized the severity of the offense, noting that the images were stored across multiple devices and included moving images, which increase the gravity of the crime.
Judge Lloyd further commented on the circumstances of the case, explaining that Helman’s offending was uncovered after suspicions arose during the online grooming attempt.
Although the vigilante group’s evidence was not sufficient for prosecution due to their refusal to cooperate further, the police’s investigation confirmed Helman’s guilt.
Throughout the proceedings, Helman maintained a stance of silence, giving no comment during police interviews and offering no defense until the morning of his trial.
The judge concluded that Helman’s actions demonstrated a clear pattern of offending, and he was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his crimes, marking a significant and serious conviction in the ongoing fight against child exploitation.
