OLDHAM TEENAGER CHRISTOPHER CHARLTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD-ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL

In October 2013, a disturbing case involving a young man from Oldham captured public attention due to the serious nature of his offenses involving child exploitation images. Christopher Charlton, who was just approaching his 19th birthday, was found in possession of highly disturbing material on his computer, including photographs and videos depicting young girls as young as five years old, alongside extreme pornography involving bestiality.

Police officers executed a raid on Charlton’s residence located on Limeside Road, Oldham, after receiving a tip-off from United States authorities. The alert was triggered by messages Charlton had sent via social networking platforms to two underage girls, raising significant concerns about his intentions and the content he was sharing.

During the subsequent investigation, authorities uncovered a cache of illicit images that shocked even seasoned law enforcement officials. The material was of such a graphic and disturbing nature that it prompted immediate legal action. Charlton was brought before Manchester Crown Court to face charges related to possessing and distributing child abuse images.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar addressed the court and expressed the gravity of the offenses. Despite the severity, the judge chose to impose a community order rather than a custodial sentence, believing that this approach would serve as a more effective form of punishment and rehabilitation. Judge Khokhar stated, “What I have looked at depicted images which for the life of me I cannot understand somebody of your age even contemplating viewing. Whether this was a passing phase or something more deep rooted, I know not, but there is no doubt the activities of people like you encourage the exploitation of young girls.”

As part of his sentence, Charlton was placed under the supervision of the Probation Service for a period of three years. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in the Northumbria Sex Offenders Programme, a specialized rehabilitation initiative aimed at addressing the underlying issues associated with such offending behavior. To ensure ongoing monitoring, Charlton will also be registered as a sex offender for the next five years.

During the proceedings, Charlton’s defense lawyer, Tim Hopley, explained that the offenses occurred when Charlton was between 16 and 17 years old. Hopley highlighted that at that time, Charlton was struggling with substance misuse, including alcohol and drugs, and was experiencing personal turmoil. The defense sought to contextualize the offenses, emphasizing the young age and troubled circumstances of the defendant, but the court maintained the view that the seriousness of the crimes warranted strict supervision and monitoring.