CHRISTOPHER WAITE BUSTED IN BASINGSTOKE: HORRIFIC CHILD ABDUCTION AND ESCAPE PLOT REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Basingstoke and the wider Hampshire area, Christopher Waite, aged 35, has been sentenced to a total of 33 months in prison after being convicted of child abduction and related offenses. The incident, which took place in January 2010, involved Waite’s heinous attempt to hide a vulnerable 12-year-old boy from law enforcement authorities.

Waite, who had previously been registered as a foster carer with Hampshire County Council starting in 2002 and later worked for a private fostering agency, was not the official guardian of the boy. Instead, the two had met in Basingstoke, where Waite became deeply involved with the young boy, who was described during the trial as “very young and very vulnerable.” The court heard that the boy had a history of running away from children’s homes in southern England during 2007 and 2008, and during these episodes, he stayed at Waite’s residence in Basingstoke.

The court proceedings revealed a shocking detail: Waite had hollowed out a washing machine, removing its internal components, to create a hiding place for the boy. The machine was cleverly disguised with washing inside to deceive any police officers who might investigate. This act was part of Waite’s effort to help the boy evade capture after he absconded from a secure unit where he was placed under supervision.

Despite being known to the boy’s family and having attended care conferences with social services, Waite continued to provide the boy with money, cigarettes, and shelter, even after pleas from authorities to cease such support. His actions culminated in a confrontation when he was arrested after the boy was found in his garden. The authorities had previously bailed Waite and transferred the boy to a secure unit outside Hampshire to prevent further contact.

However, Waite’s involvement did not end there. The court heard that he helped the boy escape from a care worker during a trip to Tesco’s supermarket. During his testimony, Waite claimed that his actions were motivated by disagreement with how Hampshire County Council was managing the boy’s care. Despite the serious allegations, the jury acquitted Waite of sexual abuse charges, including rape, sexual assault, and grooming, though they could not reach a verdict on three counts related to possession of indecent images of children.

Judge Guy Boney QC sentenced Waite to 15 months for the first count of child abduction and an additional 18 months for the second, to be served consecutively. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of Waite’s misconduct, describing his relationship with the boy as “deeply inappropriate” and highlighting the breach of trust involved in the case. Waite’s actions have left a lasting impact on the community of Basingstoke and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.