CARNAGE IN BIDSTON: CARL WHITE'S TRAGIC CRASH AND CHILD ABUSE IMAGES REVELATION

In a case that has shocked the community of Bidston and the wider Birkenhead area, Carl White, aged 39, found himself at the center of a series of serious criminal proceedings that revealed disturbing details beyond his involvement in a fatal road accident. White, who was previously convicted and sentenced last week for causing the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Carroll, appeared once again in court to face charges related to the possession of child abuse images and extreme pornography.

The tragic incident occurred on May 19 of the previous year, when White was driving his Honda Civic along a road in Birkenhead. According to court reports, White was out searching for his daughter at the time. Witnesses and CCTV footage confirmed that shortly before midnight, White undertook a vehicle on Conway Street, a move that was later scrutinized during the investigation.

Moments after the maneuver, Charlotte Carroll and her best friend, Kate Davies, were struck by White’s vehicle while crossing a pedestrian crossing. The impact was devastating; Charlotte was thrown into the air and suffered catastrophic injuries that led to her death. Kate Davies sustained a broken foot but survived the incident. The court heard that White continued driving after the collision, displaying a reckless disregard for the victims and the severity of the crash.

Judge Louise Brandon described White’s actions as “cowardly, selfish, and irresponsible,” emphasizing the stark contrast between his behavior and the decency of Charlotte’s family and friends. CCTV footage analysis revealed that White, who claimed to be driving at approximately 30 mph, was actually traveling at nearly 70 mph, significantly exceeding the speed limit and contributing to the tragic outcome.

In addition to the fatal crash, White’s criminal record was further tarnished by the discovery of disturbing images on his mobile phone. Following his arrest, police seized his device and examined its contents. They uncovered nine indecent images of children, classified as Category C, which is considered the least severe category of such material. These images were obtained by capturing screenshots from videos being streamed on the Periscope app, a live streaming service. The investigation also revealed two extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts with animals, adding to the gravity of his offenses.

White, a father of two from Larch Grove in Bidston, pleaded guilty to possessing and taking nine indecent images of children, as well as possessing extreme pornography. His defense attorney, Martine Snowdon, explained that White was under stress at the time, particularly because he was distressed upon learning that his daughter, who had arranged a sleepover at a friend’s house, was not present. Despite this explanation, the court sentenced him to an additional two months imprisonment, to run concurrently with his previous sentence.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Andrew Menary, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, emphasized the seriousness of White’s actions, though the sentence was relatively short given the severity of the offenses. The court also imposed a six-year and three-month driving ban, reflecting the dangerous nature of his conduct and the tragic consequences of his reckless driving. The judge highlighted that Charlotte Carroll had “everything to live for,” and condemned White’s continued actions as “selfish and irresponsible,” contrasting his behavior with the dignity shown by Charlotte’s family and friends in the aftermath of her death.