CHRISTOPHER BROWN OF BILLINGHAM SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN TEESSIDE

In October 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Christopher Brown, a 36-year-old resident of Billingham, who was found guilty of engaging in online activities that involved the exploitation and abuse of children. Brown’s actions came to light after he attempted to persuade a woman via internet chat to groom her own children for sexual abuse, a scheme that was ultimately uncovered as a deception.

Brown believed he was communicating with a woman, but in reality, he was speaking with a man who had no children. During their online exchanges, which took place between February and April of that year, Brown sent indecent images depicting children aged between two and twelve. The conversations revealed his disturbing intent, as he repeatedly asked his online contact whether he had been able to carry out any of the acts he discussed. When his messages went unanswered, Brown expressed frustration, saying, “Take take take, give nothing back. I even got you phone credit to send pics back and to watch vids I sent you. Well no more.”

His online activities were further scrutinized when authorities seized and analyzed the other man’s computer, confirming the conversations and the extent of Brown’s involvement. The investigation revealed that Brown was not in contact with a mother as he claimed, but with a childless man. This revelation was crucial in understanding the nature of his online conduct.

In June, police apprehended Brown, and during his arrest, he attempted to deny the allegations, stating, “What do you mean indecent images? I do a bit of online dating but that’s it.” However, a subsequent search of his property uncovered a collection of child abuse images stored on a tablet computer. The images included photographs of children aged from as young as one year old to fourteen, with one depicting abuse of a baby. The material also included 171 indecent images, both still and moving, along with ten images classified as extreme pornography.

Further investigation into Brown’s internet usage revealed extensive browsing of illegal websites hosting such material. Brown, who used the online alias “iheartadirtygirl,” was found to possess a variety of illicit images and videos, many of which were of poor quality and included self-taken photographs by teenage girls. The distribution of these images was limited, but the possession and creation of such material were enough to warrant serious charges.

Brown faced multiple charges, including three counts of distributing indecent photographs of children, three counts of making such images, possession of extreme pornographic material, and encouraging or assisting an offence. His defense argued that Brown’s online communications were driven by “fantasy” and that he had little understanding of the gravity of his actions. His lawyer, Graham Brown, emphasized that the images were mostly of poor quality, many taken by a teenage girl herself, and that the videos were short. He also noted that Brown had been in custody for over four months, lost his job, and found the court proceedings difficult.

Judge Howard Crowson delivered a stern verdict, emphasizing the heinous nature of Brown’s crimes. He stated, “Indecent photographs of children exploit their innocence and their vulnerability. Whoever is taking them is abusing a child in the most gross fashion. And each time the image is viewed by somebody, they are violated again. Those images unfortunately are never lost because they are on the internet. It’s a continuing and persistent problem.”

Addressing Brown directly, the judge condemned his encouragement of the sexual assault of a girl, which he pursued with persistence and enthusiasm in the web chat, even suggesting grooming methods. The judge remarked, “I find it hard to accept, and don’t accept, this was a simple fantasy. You clearly hoped it would happen for your own sexual gratification.”

While acknowledging that no such child existed and that Brown’s wishes could not be fulfilled, the judge sentenced him to three years in prison. Additionally, Brown was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his internet use indefinitely and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to society.