CHRIS HATHERLEY SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR ONLINE OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL
Chris Hatherley, of Arnheim Road, Bassett, was involved in viewing live streams of indecent material and engaging in online chats where he requested videos depicting children crying due to sexual assaults, some involving infants and others aged between two and three years old, Southampton Crown Court heard.Following online intelligence, police searched his home and seized his computers and mobile phone.
Although no indecent images were discovered, prosecutor Jane Terry revealed that there were disturbing communications with other app users, including on platforms such as 'Kick.' In these messages, Hatherley expressed enjoyment of the content and discussed acts he wanted to commit himself.
Hatherley was arrested and, during an interview, he admitted to having a serious problem, tearfully explaining that he was under the influence of drugs at the time and did not understand why his behavior had started.
Joanne Chester, representing Hatherley, explained that his offending occurred between January and March 2017, during a period when he was deeply addicted to drugs.
She described him as 'ashamed by his clearly depraved behaviour' and noted that he had sought help to address both his addiction and his offending.
Ms.
Chester added that the turning point for Hatherley was waking up in a London flat with strangers, which prompted him to try to change his life.
Judge Nicholas Rowland commented on the seriousness of the case, stating, 'These images represent dreadful abuse of babies and children.
It’s serious.' He further emphasized that the creation of such material is driven by an audience’s demand, saying, 'And it’s because of people like you that they are made because an audience wants to watch it.' Hatherley pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting the offence.
He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete at least 45 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, banning him from using chat rooms for the next 10 years.
