CONNOR HANLON, WALTHAM ABBEY PLUMBER, RECEIVES SENTENCE FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENCES IN CHELMSFORD

In October 2017, Connor Hanlon, a 22-year-old plumber from Waltham Abbey, was dealt with by Chelmsford Crown Court after being found in possession of indecent images of children and for viewing videos involving teenage boys touching themselves via webcam.

Police responded to information alleging Hanlon had been viewing such illicit material at his home in Eagle Close. During a search, officers recovered a laptop from his living room and a USB device from his bedroom, both containing a disturbing collection of images and videos. The materials included 65 Category A images, 259 from Category B, and 11 from Category C, with some depicting the most serious offenses.

Prosecutor Samantha Lowther explained that after Hanlon’s arrest on June 29, he refused to answer police questions, only admitting ownership of the devices and stating he "never directed anyone to do anything." Hanlon, who is employed as a plumber, pleaded guilty in court last month to three counts of making indecent photographs.

Represented by Sarah Steggles, Hanlon's lawyer, it was noted that he had begun addressing his issues through counseling with the mental health charity MIND. She emphasized that he recognized he had a "problem" and mentioned his troubled background.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge David Turner QC described the case as shameful, highlighting the seriousness of possessing images of young children and stressing that such offenses are not victimless. He questioned how Hanlon would feel if one of the children depicted was a sibling.

Although Hanlon was not sentenced to prison, the judge considered his conduct to be "out of character" and took into account a heartfelt letter from his sister and sister-in-law. Judge Turner stated, "It would be wrong and disproportionate to send you at 22 to prison," and urged Hanlon to face his addiction to such material with courage, warning of a bleak future if he failed to do so.

Consequently, Hanlon received a two-year community order, including 30 days of rehabilitative work, and was ordered to participate in the Horizon sex offender treatment program. His electronic devices — the laptop and USB — were forfeited, and he was required to pay a victim surcharge alongside £320 in prosecution costs.

Furthermore, he is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and must register as a sex offender during the same period. These measures aim to prevent future offenses and ensure monitoring of his behavior.

Earlier in September 2017, Hanlon had admitted to watching schoolboys touching themselves on webcam and was formally charged after police seized eight devices from his home. Two of these devices contained highly explicit material, including videos and images of children engaged in sexual acts. Prosecutor Barry Hargreaves detailed that the cache included 62 Category A images, 259 Category B images, 11 Category C images, and 120 videos primarily involving teenage males masturbating into webcams.

After his arrest on June 29, Hanlon cooperated minimally, only confirming ownership of the devices. His case was set to be heard at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 11, where he faced the charges.