CARNFORTH MAN CRAIG PILLING SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND BREACHING SEXUAL OFFENCES ORDER

In a significant case stemming from Carnforth, Craig Pilling, aged 59, has been handed a substantial prison sentence of four and a half years, totaling 54 months, for the possession of indecent images of children. The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, following a conviction on two counts related to the possession of such illicit material.

Prior to the sentencing, Pilling had entered a guilty plea to the charges, which involved the possession of indecent images depicting minors. Additionally, he admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that had been imposed on him earlier, which was designed to restrict his contact with minors and prevent further offenses.

The arrest of Craig Pilling occurred in August 2012, after authorities uncovered evidence that he had been in contact with a 16-year-old girl from the Lancaster area. This contact was particularly concerning because it involved two meetings with the teenager, who had been reported missing from her home at the time. The breach of the SOPO was a serious violation, as it explicitly prohibited Pilling from having any contact with children under the age of 18.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Colin Gaskell from the Public Protection Unit expressed satisfaction with the outcome. He emphasized the importance of the sentence in protecting vulnerable young people and serving as a warning to others who might be subject to similar restrictions. Gaskell stated, “We are pleased with the sentence given today and hope that, with Pilling behind bars, it means that more youngsters are protected and that this serves as a warning to others who are subject to SOPOs that if you breach the order, we will find you and bring you before the courts.”