DARRYL SHARRATT FROM ST HELENS ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF CHILDLIKE SEX DOLL AND VILE PORNOGRAPHY
In July 2019, Darryl Sharratt, a 61-year-old resident of St Helens, found himself at the center of a disturbing criminal case involving the illegal importation of a sex doll with childlike features, as well as possession of extreme pornography.The case unfolded after authorities intercepted a package destined for his address in Haydock, St Helens, which was marked as containing a 'silicon doll'.
Border Force officials at London Stansted Airport examined the parcel on May 9 of the previous year.
The package, sent via FedEx and valued at £1,100, was believed to contain a child sex doll, prompting immediate suspicion among the officers.
They promptly notified Merseyside Police, who responded by visiting Sharratt’s home in Park Avenue, Haydock, two days later.
Upon arrest, Sharratt attempted to downplay the situation, claiming, “It’s just a doll because I live on my own.” However, police investigations revealed a far more troubling picture.
In his living room, officers discovered high-tech equipment, including three computers, hard drives, and a webcam.
They also found plastic crates, one of which contained a homemade plastic sex doll with an apparent child's head, raising serious concerns about the nature of his interests.
Further searches uncovered two additional dolls stored within a wardrobe, one of which appeared to resemble a child dressed in a school uniform.
A small collection of female clothing designed for dress-up was also found concealed in a crate under a bed in a front bedroom.
The police recovered a bag filled with sex aids, along with a camcorder set up to a television and cassette tapes.
Some of the recordings showed Sharratt engaged in sexual activities with various homemade sex dolls, including footage labeled ‘Schooly’ that depicted children outside Haydock High School, a nearby secondary school.
The footage was shot from a vehicle parked opposite or near the school, capturing children walking by and entering the premises.
In addition to the disturbing visual material, authorities uncovered 46 files of animal pornography on one of the computers, including 43 videos.
A medical examination of the imported doll, conducted by an expert, indicated that it had a stature comparable to a child aged between seven and ten years old.
However, the expert noted that the doll possessed both childlike and adultlike features, with sexual characteristics resembling a female in her mid-teens or early twenties.
During police interviews, Sharratt admitted that his last relationship had ended 16 years prior and expressed feelings of loneliness.
He claimed ignorance regarding the legality of the doll he imported, stating he had researched online to avoid being scammed.
He described the doll, named ‘Ivy’, as being 4 feet 7 inches tall, with long dark hair, and capable of being internally heated.
He also mentioned that the doll had received positive reviews.
Prosecutor Paul Blasbery highlighted that Sharratt’s behavior was deeply troubling, noting that he had previously attempted to create his own sex doll using an old towel before purchasing one from a toy shop.
Blasbery emphasized that Sharratt was not sexually attracted to the dolls but used them as sexual aids.
When questioned about the videos and dolls, Sharratt appeared visibly uncomfortable, sweating and fidgeting.
He claimed that he downloaded animal porn out of curiosity and was unaware of its illegality.
Sharratt pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornography and the improper importation of obscene goods, specifically a child-sized sex doll.
He maintained that he believed he was importing an adult sex doll, not a childlike one.
Despite his admissions, he has a criminal record with 15 previous convictions spanning 29 offenses, though none related to child exploitation.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Stuart Driver, QC, addressed the case, stating, “The fact is, whatever suspicions there are, this man has not been convicted of an offence relating to children.” The judge noted that the evidence did not conclusively prove the doll was a child sex doll or that the obscene material contained images of children.
Sharratt’s defense lawyer, Michael Hagerty, argued that the case had caused significant difficulties for his client, asserting that Sharratt believed the doll was an adult sex doll, as shown in a screenshot from the website where he ordered it.
The court was informed that Sharratt’s health was a critical factor; he was diagnosed with terminal, inoperable prostate cancer, with a prognosis of only a few years remaining.
In light of his health condition, Judge Driver sentenced Sharratt to six months in jail, suspended for 12 months, along with a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
The judge emphasized that this leniency was granted because of his terminal illness, warning that if Sharratt were to reoffend, he would not receive a second chance.
The judge clarified that Sharratt had not been convicted of any offense involving children, and the court could not establish that the doll was a child sex doll or that the images of obscene material depicted children.
In summary, this case highlights the disturbing nature of Sharratt’s activities, involving illegal importation and possession of highly inappropriate material.
The court’s decision reflects the complexities of such cases, especially considering the defendant’s health and the lack of direct evidence linking him to child exploitation.
Nonetheless, the case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding the importation and possession of illegal and obscene materials.
