DEREK SMITH FROM ELLESMERE PORT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CHESTER

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Ellesmere Port and the surrounding areas, Derek Smith, a 42-year-old man, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous child sex offences. The proceedings took place at Chester Crown Court on Friday, 23 June, where Smith was handed a substantial prison term of 15 years, accompanied by an additional five years of extended license, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

Smith’s conviction followed a comprehensive investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse and exploitation. He was found guilty on 24 counts, which included possession and distribution of indecent images of children, engaging in sexual communication with minors, inciting children aged between 13 and 17 to participate in sexual activities, and multiple counts of rape. The charges paint a disturbing picture of a man who exploited vulnerable young individuals for his own gratification.

The investigation was initiated after the National Crime Agency (NCA) reported a concerning incident to Cheshire Police. An indecent image classified as Category C, depicting a child, had been uploaded to the internet, prompting a detailed inquiry. Law enforcement officials swiftly traced the upload back to Smith, leading to his arrest on Tuesday, 27 July. Authorities conducted searches at two addresses linked to him, one in Chester and the other in Ellesmere Port. During these searches, officers recovered numerous electronic devices, which proved crucial to the case.

Analysis of the devices revealed a disturbing cache of digital material. Among the contents were 231 indecent images and videos of children, with 43 classified as Category A, indicating the most severe form of abuse, 74 as Category B, and 114 as Category C. The Cheshire Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) uncovered that 26 of these images were first-generation photographs of a young girl, taken by Smith himself on his personal device, further implicating him in the exploitation.

Smith’s criminal activities extended beyond the possession of illicit images. On 9 September 2022, he was formally charged with nine offences related to his online conduct. Despite being released on conditional bail, Smith continued his predatory behavior on the internet. Under the alias “Degsi,” he engaged in sexually charged conversations with three young girls, aged 13 and 14, requesting explicit images and encouraging them to perform sexual acts. Unbeknownst to him, these conversations were with three adults acting as decoys, posing as minors to catch predators.

On October 5, 2022, the decoys arranged a meeting with Smith, using a decoy profile of an adult woman. Smith was waiting at Cheshire Oaks when he was confronted by officers and promptly arrested. During police questioning, Smith refused to answer any questions, replying with “no comment” to all inquiries, even when presented with messages he had sent to the decoys. This refusal did not prevent further charges; an additional seven sexual offences were brought against him, and he was remanded into custody.

As the investigation progressed, a victim depicted in the indecent images recovered from Smith’s devices came forward, revealing her abuse at his hands. While Smith was still in remand, he was re-arrested and charged with eight more offences, including multiple counts of rape and sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17. Despite maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty to all charges, the weight of evidence against him was overwhelming. On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, a jury found Smith guilty on all counts, bringing a measure of justice for his victims and the community of Ellesmere Port.