DEAN SHAW FROM ATHERTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN BOLTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Atherton, Dean Shaw, a 47-year-old man residing on Rowland Street South, was brought before Bolton Crown Court to face serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The proceedings took place on November 17, following Shaw's guilty plea to the possession of such illicit material.

According to the prosecution, police executed a warrant at Shaw's residence on August 2, 2018. During the search, authorities seized multiple electronic devices, including a laptop, a desktop computer, and four mobile phones. The investigation revealed that Shaw had amassed an alarming collection of over 30,000 indecent images of minors. The images were categorized into different levels of severity, with the majority classified as Category C, indicating less severe images. However, the court was also informed that Shaw possessed ten images classified as Category B, and notably, one image was classified as Category A, depicting a 14-year-old girl engaged in a sexual act with an adult male.

Further details from the prosecution revealed that Shaw had actively searched for material involving children as young as seven years old. It was also disclosed that he employed a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal his IP address, suggesting an attempt to evade detection and maintain anonymity while seeking such material.

When Shaw was taken into custody, he chose to give a no comment interview, refusing to answer questions. Nevertheless, he later admitted guilt when given the opportunity to do so in court. The judge, Timothy Stead, sentenced Shaw to a three-year community order. As part of his sentence, Shaw is required to complete the Horizon sex offenders programme and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at preventing future offending.

Addressing Shaw directly in the dock, Judge Stead expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a great disappointment to people that know you that this has happened. You’ve brought great shame upon yourself. The shock and shame of being caught will be a deterrent from doing anything like this again. If you commit such offenses again, you cannot expect the same leniency.”

In addition to the community order, Shaw was issued a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the sex offenders register for the same period. The electronic devices containing the illicit images are to be destroyed, ensuring they are no longer accessible. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from such heinous crimes.