CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE FROM BEDFORD NEAR LOWER SCHOOL SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of children in local communities, Christopher Savage, a 49-year-old man residing in Bedford, has been convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Savage, who had previously been assessed as being at a very high risk of reoffending, was living directly opposite a lower school on Ivel Road, raising alarm among residents and authorities alike.

His recent move to Rectory Court, Sandy, in March of this year followed his dismissal from a job in Durham, where he was terminated after being caught accessing inappropriate material on his company computer. The location of his residence in Bedford placed him dangerously close to a school environment, with St Swithin’s Lower School situated just across the street on the same Ivel Road, creating a tense atmosphere among parents and local residents.

On Friday, Savage faced justice at Luton Crown Court, where he was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to eight charges related to the creation and possession of indecent images. The police investigation uncovered more than 20 such images stored on his wife’s laptop in April, which included a disturbing mix of categories: 11 images classified as Level 1, six at Level 3, and another six at Level 4, indicating increasing levels of severity and disturbing content.

During police interviews, Savage admitted that he anticipated the discovery of “deeply disturbing” images and confessed to engaging in chat rooms under the alias ‘mum’. He reportedly told officers, “Whatever you do it does not stop what goes on in your head. Nothing stops it. It is much more ingrained than I have ever wanted to admit.” His use of sophisticated software to conceal his activities was also noted by investigators, suggesting an attempt to evade detection.

Judge John Bevan QC expressed grave concern over Savage’s mental state and his fantasies, stating, “I am convinced you have confirmed and probably unalterable fantasies in your mind concerning the sexual attractiveness of very young children. Whether that can be changed no-one knows.” The judge’s comments reflect the seriousness of Savage’s offending history, which includes convictions in London in 2001 and in Durham in 2004 for similar crimes. On both occasions, he was given community orders and registered as a sex offender.

Defence lawyer Derek Johashen argued that Savage’s offending was linked to depression following his job loss, stating, “He became extremely depressed when he lost his job. He has a degree of self-loathing and hates the part of his character that fantasizes about this material. It is his account that he accessed this material only on one day and it appears the behaviour is lessening. He has been on remand in custody and has found it very degrading and very difficult to cope with.”

As the community grapples with the implications of this case, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from individuals like Christopher Savage, whose actions have caused significant concern in the Bedford area and beyond.