CRAIG BIRKETT FROM BARROW AND KENDAL CAUGHT IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a series of disturbing legal proceedings, Craig Birkett, a man with ties to both Barrow and Kendal, has been at the center of serious criminal allegations involving child pornography and breaches of sex offender restrictions.

On a notable date in November 2013, Birkett, aged 30 and residing on Telford Street in Barrow, appeared before the Furness Magistrates’ Court to face charges related to three counts of violating a court-issued sex offenders’ order. The charges stemmed from incidents where Birkett was found in possession of a laptop and a smartphone, devices he was prohibited from owning or using without proper monitoring due to his status as a convicted sex offender. Evidence presented indicated that he was using the internet without the required safeguards, which constituted a breach of his legal restrictions.

It was revealed that these offences occurred while Birkett was still on licence, meaning he was under supervision following previous convictions. His criminal history includes a significant conviction from May 28, 2010, when he pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court to 24 counts of downloading child pornography. During that hearing, it was disclosed that Birkett had amassed a large collection of indecent images of children on his home computer, including some of the most serious categories of such material. The court also heard that he had an interest in images involving children in nappies.

His wife, Stephanie Birkett, aged 30, was also implicated in the case. She admitted to possessing three indecent images of children, including one classified as level 4, and was accused of viewing these images without reporting or deleting them. The court noted that she had looked at some of the images on her husband’s computer, which contributed to her charges.

During the sentencing, Judge Barbara Forrester acknowledged the gravity of Craig Birkett’s offences. She stated that although his crimes warranted a custodial sentence, the strict sentencing guidelines limited her options. She explained that because of the time Birkett had already served on remand, he would be released in approximately two months. To ensure he received appropriate treatment, the judge imposed a 36-month community supervision order, which mandated participation in a rehabilitation course for sex offenders. The judge emphasized her intent to protect the community from further harm, highlighting the dangerous impact of such offences and the community’s right to safety.

The case was further complicated by the discovery of the extent of Birkett’s collection of illegal images. Police reports indicated that staff at a hotel in South Cumbria, where Birkett worked as a porter, found an inappropriate image of a young girl. When authorities visited the couple’s residence at Hallgarth Circle in Kendal, they uncovered walls covered with laminated pornographic pictures, some depicting children in nappies. His computer contained hundreds of child pornographic images, including some of children as young as five years old.

Guilt was also established for Stephanie Birkett, who was found to have viewed three child pornography images on the computer, one of which was classified as level 4. Despite this, she neither deleted the images nor reported their presence. Both Craig and Stephanie Birkett were placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and prohibited from working with children.

Prosecutor Alan Lovett highlighted that the offences came to light when hotel staff discovered an inappropriate image, leading to police investigation. The court heard that the couple’s home was filled with disturbing material, and the police found hundreds of images, some depicting very young children. Craig Birkett’s obsession with such material was described as compulsive, with his lawyer Greg Hoare suggesting that he felt a sense of relief upon being caught. Meanwhile, Gareth James, representing Stephanie Birkett, described her as a vulnerable individual lacking confidence.

Judge Forrester concluded her remarks by condemning the proliferation of child pornography, emphasizing that such activities directly contribute to ongoing child abuse and victimization. She underscored the importance of strict sentencing to deter such crimes, stating, “It’s totally unacceptable.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the importance of community safety.