CHRISTOPHER KERSHAW FROM MILLOM AND WHITEHAVEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a series of disturbing legal proceedings, Christopher Kershaw, a resident of Millom and later Whitehaven, has faced multiple charges related to child sexual abuse and possession of indecent images of children. The gravity of his offenses has led to severe and ongoing legal restrictions, including an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

In August 2017, Kershaw, then aged 62, was convicted at Preston Crown Court of deliberately touching an eight-year-old girl during the year 2011, specifically between January 1 and December 31. The court found sufficient evidence to establish his guilt, and he was subsequently sentenced in November of the same year to a total of nine and a half years in prison. His sentence comprises five and a half years of incarceration, with the remaining four years to be served on license. Additionally, Kershaw was ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes.

Following his conviction, Kershaw appeared before the court on January 5, 2018, for a review of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order initially imposed. The court confirmed that the order would remain in effect indefinitely, with no modifications to its duration. The order aims to prevent any further harm and restrict Kershaw’s activities, especially considering that breaching such an order can result in a penalty of up to five years imprisonment. His prison sentence remains unaffected, and he continues to serve his time while under supervision.

Prior to this, in November 2017, Kershaw was sentenced to nine and a half years after being found guilty of the child abuse incident. The court also noted that in 2014, he had been given a three-year community order for making indecent images of children. This earlier conviction was based on evidence collected from a police search executed on December 2, 2013, at his home on Festival Road, Millom. During this search, officers seized a laptop and mobile phone, which were later examined by the Force’s High Tech Crime Unit. The forensic analysis uncovered more than 700 still images and 17 videos depicting child abuse, along with a level four image on his mobile device.

Following his arrest on February 12, 2014, Kershaw pleaded guilty to 15 counts of making indecent images of children at Furness Magistrates’ Court. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, requiring him to attend a sex offender treatment program and to be on the sexual offender register for five years. He was also issued a five-year Sexual Offender Prevention Order. His background includes a history as a children’s rugby union coach and a primary school janitor, which adds a disturbing dimension to his offenses. Kershaw’s actions and subsequent convictions highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims.

In February 2014, Kershaw, then aged 59, admitted to downloading indecent images of children, further emphasizing his ongoing engagement with illegal material. He appeared at Furness Magistrates’ Court and was scheduled for sentencing at Preston Crown Court. His case drew public attention, especially given his prior recognition at the Pride of Britain Awards, where his son was honored for saving his life after a heart attack. The legal proceedings against Kershaw underscore the serious consequences faced by individuals involved in child exploitation and the importance of continuous monitoring and enforcement to prevent further harm.