EDWARD WHELLER: CHILD RAPIST FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MOVES NEAR COUNDON PRIMARY SCHOOL AND DOWNLOADS CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has raised serious concerns about public safety and the monitoring of convicted sex offenders, Edward Wheller, a man previously convicted of child sexual offenses, was found to have committed further crimes shortly after his release from prison. Wheller, who originally hails from Buckinghamshire, was released on licence in April 2016 after serving part of a 12-year sentence. Despite the restrictions placed upon him as a registered sex offender, he chose to relocate to the village of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, a move that drew scrutiny from authorities and community members alike.

Wheller’s new residence was situated alarmingly close to a primary school in Coundon, a detail that heightened public concern given his criminal history. The court heard that Wheller’s past convictions date back to 2009, when he was convicted on six counts of rape and four counts of gross indecency involving two young girls. These serious offenses resulted in a lengthy prison sentence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

Victoria Lamballe, the prosecutor, outlined that Wheller was under strict supervision as a registered sex offender, with a police officer assigned to monitor his compliance with licence conditions. During a routine visit to his home on Jackson Street in March, the officer was greeted in a friendly manner by Wheller. However, the officer’s attention was drawn when Wheller was seen using a laptop computer, a device that had not been previously disclosed or monitored.

Suspicions grew when the officer observed the computer’s wallpaper, which displayed an indecent image superimposed with the face of Emma Watson, the actress known for her role in the Harry Potter film series. Further investigation revealed that the laptop contained a total of 253 indecent images of children, including three classified as the most serious category of abuse. This discovery was a significant breach of Wheller’s licence conditions and a grave concern for community safety.

Wheller was arrested on October 31 and subsequently admitted to the police that he had obtained the laptop from a family member the previous August. He also confessed to making indecent images of children and possessing prohibited material. The police found that he had been actively viewing and downloading such material, which indicated a clear pattern of offending behavior.

During the court proceedings, Ian West, representing Wheller, explained that once the contents of the computer were confirmed, Wheller was recalled to serve the remainder of his original 12-year sentence. This could mean he remains incarcerated until 2021, regardless of the outcome of the current case. The judge, Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC, sentenced Wheller to two years and eight months in prison. The judge emphasized that Wheller’s actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of seeking out material for his own sexual gratification, even shortly after his release from prison.

Given the serious nature of his offenses and the risk he poses to the community, the court imposed an extended six-year licence period upon his eventual release. Additionally, Wheller was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was required to register as a sex offender. These measures aim to mitigate the risk of future offending and protect vulnerable members of the community from potential harm.