SHREWSBURY MAN DAVID WOODHOUSE CAUGHT WITH CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN SHROPSHIRE
In a serious case that has shocked the community of Shrewsbury, a local man named David Woodhouse, aged 53, was found to possess indecent images of children on his personal computers.The disturbing discovery was made during a police investigation that was initially unrelated to any allegations against him.
Officers executed a search at Woodhouse’s residence on Meadow Farm Drive, where they uncovered a collection of illicit material stored on both a computer and a laptop.
The images included both still photographs and moving images, which had been stored in locations accessible for recovery, indicating deliberate concealment.
According to court reports, the police found the indecent content after arresting Woodhouse on December 12, 2014, on an unrelated matter.
During questioning, he initially denied any knowledge of the material and suggested that other individuals might have been responsible for its presence.
However, subsequent investigations confirmed the possession of illegal images involving children, which caused significant concern among law enforcement officials.
Further details revealed that the images and videos were created and stored over a period spanning from June 2007 to December 2014.
The material included six Category A indecent images, which are considered the most severe, along with additional Category B images and moving images.
Specifically, between October 2012 and December 2014, Woodhouse was found to have made two Category A images, two Category B moving images, and ten Category B images.
There were also allegations involving a single Category B moving image and two Category C images, but these were ordered to be left on file, meaning they would not be prosecuted further.
At the hearing held at Shrewsbury Crown Court, the prosecution, led by Miss Samantha Powis, outlined the details of the case.
She explained that Woodhouse had initially denied any involvement but later pleaded guilty to four charges on the day he was scheduled to face trial.
The court was told that the images depicted children being abused, which is a grave concern regardless of the relatively low number of images involved.
Judge Peter Barrie, presiding over the case, took into account several mitigating factors, including Woodhouse’s mental health issues and his dependency on alcohol.
Despite the low number of images, the judge emphasized that each image represented a child being subjected to abuse.
As a result, Woodhouse was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes participation in rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programs.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.
Woodhouse’s address was confirmed as Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury.
He had initially denied seven allegations of making indecent photographs but changed his plea to guilty on four counts.
The court also heard that he had spent the previous eight days in custody for breaching bail conditions.
As part of his bail conditions, he is now required to reside at his home address, avoid contact with witnesses, and refrain from any contact with children under the age of 16.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, and the serious consequences faced by those found guilty of such offenses.
The community of Shrewsbury remains vigilant, and authorities continue to emphasize the importance of reporting any suspicious activity related to child abuse and exploitation.
