PAEDOPHILE ARMY CADET MAJOR AND POSTMAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX EXPLOITATION IN BARNARD CASTLE

In August 2004, residents of Barnard Castle were shocked to learn that a local man, Andrew Shaw, a married Army cadet major and executive officer of the Cleveland Army Cadet Force, had been involved in a disturbing online plot to supply a schoolgirl for sex. Shaw collaborated with Alan Lawson, a paedophile postman, in a conspiracy that led to both men being jailed.

Shaw, aged 49, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Lawson, 33, received an eight-year sentence. The court heard that Shaw, who was not related to the Army cadets involved, sent Lawson explicit photos of himself and a girl who cannot be named for legal reasons. The girl was not an Army cadet.

Lawson exchanged emails with Shaw, discussing plans to drug the girl to facilitate sexual activity. Prosecutor Graham Reeds stated that Lawson suggested giving the girl a date-rape drug, and Shaw sent explicit images from his computer. The pair was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on February 18. Until that point, reporting was restricted by a Section 39 order under the Children and Young Persons Act, imposed by Judge Peter Fox QC. However, following a legal challenge supported by evidence from Mercury editor Adrian Braddy, the order was lifted as lawyers argued it only protected minors’ identities and not adults.

Initially, Shaw faced a 14-year sentence and Lawson 10, but Judge Fox later reduced the penalties.

Shaw was arrested during a dawn raid on his flat at The Old Courthouse, Queen Street, Barnard Castle on March 9, in a coordinated operation involving Durham Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police. MoD Police spokesperson Steve Partridge explained, “This was a broad investigation which started after information was passed to the MoD Police following an investigation by U.S. authorities. Dedicated officers spent nearly a year gathering electronic evidence that led to the identification and successful prosecution of both offenders.”

A Durham Police spokesperson added, “We supported the MoD Police during the arrest and accompanied them to Shaw’s home.”

Residents expressed their shock at the crimes committed by their neighbour. Kim McColligan, a mother living opposite Shaw's former flat, said, “No one knew the full extent of what he had done; there were rumors about children, but it was shocking to learn the truth. Barnard Castle is usually a safe place to raise children, and it’s sickening to think this happened so close to home.”

Parents Stephen and Caroline Hughes, also residents of Hall Street, commented, “You never really know who might be capable of such acts until it’s too late. Parents must stay vigilant about where their children go and what they do.” Mr. Hughes stressed the importance of increased police oversight, stating, “The internet can be a dangerous tool, and there must be effective regulation to prevent its misuse.”

In communications, Shaw used the name of sixties pop star Tony Orlando. He corresponded with Lawson, who was a member of the Danish Paedophile Association, but they never met face-to-face. Prosecutor Graham Reeds noted that Lawson suggested giving the girl a spiked drink or drugs to facilitate sexual assault.

Explicit photos from Shaw were discovered on Lawson’s bedroom computer at his Isle of Wight home. Shaw admitted, “I hold my hand up to everything I have done and am deeply ashamed. I never agreed to anything actually happening to her.” Both men were found guilty of conspiracy to rape; Lawson from South Street, Ventnor, and Shaw, who earlier pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography.

Lawson was found with 5,583 indecent images of children, while Shaw possessed 3,484. The judge described their crimes as “utterly deplorable and shocking,” noting that the jury was convinced they sought gratification from viewing abused children and intended to involve the girl in similar abuse.

Evidence showed Shaw had begun to groom the girl, as indicated by some photographs he had sent to Lawson. Shaw also sent Lawson obscene photographs of the girl, including a DVD compilation of his collection. Shaw revealed he had photos of the girl taken last summer, which he emailed to Lawson, fully aware of Lawson's attraction to children. Prosecutor Reeds explained that Shaw was aware he was sending images to someone with a sexual interest in children, and that Shaw even offered to supply the girl for Lawson to abuse.

Police found 43 photographs of the girl on Shaw’s computer, 27 indecent. Lawson was arrested at his home on April 28 last year, where they found a hard disk containing 21 photographs of the girl, including some obscene images, one featuring Shaw fully naked.

Reeds added, “The evidence suggests that they had an agreement to have sexual intercourse with the girl or at least sexually assault her after incapacitating her with drugs or alcohol.”

Shaw explained in court that his interest in internet child pornography escalated after separating from his wife of 20 years and moving to Barnard Castle. He stated he engaged in online chats with hundreds about child sexual abuse, describing much of it as fantasy, and acknowledged that most discussions aimed to obtain images of children being sexually exploited.

He admitted to asking the girl for photographs, which she consented to, including some of them both naked. Shaw sent these images to multiple men, including Lawson. He claimed, “I have spoken to a lot of people about those photos. I received many exchanges in return.” He maintained there was never a formal agreement to do anything with the girl, just casual talk about sex with young girls.