ARRON MCCANN FROM FARNWORTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ASSAULT IN KENT

In a case that has shocked the local community of Farnworth and the wider region, Arron McCann, a 40-year-old man, has been sentenced to prison for possessing and distributing highly disturbing images of child abuse, as well as for a serious indecent assault on a young girl. The investigation into McCann’s activities was initiated after police conducted a raid on a property in Kent, which ultimately led them to his residence on St James Street in Farnworth.

During the operation in March of the previous year, law enforcement officials seized computer equipment used for the large-scale distribution and possession of indecent images of children. These images, some classified as level four and five—the most severe categories—depicted sexual acts involving very young children. The police traced these illicit materials back to McCann’s address, revealing a disturbing pattern of criminal activity.

Further searches in June uncovered additional evidence at McCann’s home, including three pairs of children’s underwear and more computer equipment containing indecent images of minors. McCann was taken into custody and subsequently admitted to the offences during police interviews. He also provided information about the origin of one of the stolen items of underwear, adding to the evidence against him.

Legal proceedings at Bolton Crown Court revealed that McCann was involved in the distribution of 236 indecent images, the making of 536 images, and the possession of 242 images and videos, all ranging from level one to five in severity. The court heard that McCann was a socially isolated individual, with no meaningful relationships and very few friends, which may have contributed to his criminal behavior.

At an earlier hearing, McCann pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of distributing indecent images, six counts of making such images, and ten counts of possession. Additionally, he admitted to sexually assaulting a girl aged approximately nine or ten years old in either 2001 or 2002. Due to legal restrictions, the victim cannot be identified.

Judge Elliott Knopf sentenced McCann to two years and eight months in prison. The judge also ordered that McCann be placed on the sex offenders register for life. In his remarks, Judge Knopf described the images as depicting sexual activity with children of a very tender age, emphasizing the extensive and horrifying nature of the material. He condemned the distribution of such images as a form of exploitation that fuels demand and perpetuates harm to innocent children.

Regarding the indecent assault, the judge stated that while McCann may have derived some sexual gratification from his actions, the victim would carry the emotional scars for the rest of her life. As part of the court’s orders, McCann is prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 until further notice. The court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of all equipment seized during the investigation, and two additional charges related to his crimes were left on file for potential future prosecution.