ANTHONY STURMAN FROM FAVERSHAM CAUGHT AT SHELL UK IN WATERLOO FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in June of the previous year, Anthony Sturman, a 59-year-old senior manager employed by Shell UK, was implicated in the printing of child abuse images at his workplace located at the Shell Centre in Waterloo. The sequence of events began when a colleague, Ruth Elliott, was performing routine maintenance on a jammed printer situated on the 18th floor of the Shell building. During her efforts to clear the blockage, she discovered that the printer was producing a series of suspicious images.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that the printer had output six pages containing a total of 42 indecent images of children, all in thumbnail size. These images were traced back to Sturman's computer, which was connected to his work system, raising serious concerns about his activities. The images included seven categorized at level four, indicating a high severity of abuse. The discovery was made public during a court hearing at Inner London Crown Court, where the prosecution detailed the findings.

Prosecutor Darren Ponds explained that the images originated from Sturman's personal computer, which he had been using at his residence in Kent, specifically in Faversham. It was noted that Sturman had been viewing child pornography at his home when he inadvertently sent the images to the office printer. The incident led to his arrest two days later, highlighting the serious breach of trust and legal boundaries involved.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Yogain Chandarana acknowledged the profound impact of the case on Sturman's life, emphasizing that he had actively sought treatment since his arrest approximately 18 months prior. Chandarana stated, "He has laid out his soul in front of probation officers," and that Sturman was fully aware of his offending behavior and had begun receiving help. The lawyer also pointed out that Sturman did not intend to produce these images using a work printer, suggesting the act was unintentional.

Judge Lindsay Burns sentenced Sturman to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and mandated his participation in a sex offenders' rehabilitation program. The judge remarked that Sturman did not pose a significant risk of re-offending and that the level of intent involved distinguished this case from more severe offenses. He acknowledged the remorse shown by Sturman and his understanding of the gravity of his actions, stating, "You have shown considerable remorse and understanding for what you have done."

Sturman, a resident of Faversham in Kent, pleaded guilty to one count of producing indecent images of children. As part of his sentence, he will also be required to register as a sex offender, underscoring the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing legal consequences he faces.