HUNTINGDON MAN CRAIG STEWART SENTENCED FOR ONLINE GROOMING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Huntingdon, Craig Stewart, a 23-year-old resident of High Street, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in disturbing online activities involving young girls. The investigation began when authorities visited Stewart’s home on October 22 of the previous year, following suspicions related to his online behavior.

During the police search, officers discovered Stewart in possession of an alarming collection of digital material. He had accumulated hundreds of images and videos depicting children and teenage girls, some of whom he had met through anonymous online chat platforms. Evidence indicated that Stewart not only engaged in conversations with these minors but also secretly recorded their interactions, raising serious concerns about his intentions and actions.

The case was brought before Peterborough Crown Court, where Judge Cooper described Stewart’s conduct as meticulously planned and sustained over a period of time. The judge characterized Stewart as a groomer, highlighting the predatory nature of his online activities. Stewart did not deny the charges; instead, he fully admitted to the allegations against him.

He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession of 80 indecent photographs of children, making 908 indecent images, possessing three images classified as extreme pornography, and possessing a prohibited image of a child. Additionally, Stewart faced two counts of inciting girls aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity, which further underscored the severity of his offenses.

The court sentenced Stewart to a total of three years and five months in prison, with the sentences for the various charges to run concurrently. Specifically, he received two and a half years for inciting children under 16 to engage in penetrative sexual acts, and one year for inciting non-penetrative sexual activity. The other charges each carried an eight-month sentence.

Beyond his prison term, Stewart was also subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his access to minors and prevent any further offending. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation.