EWAN WILLIAMS FROM LOSTOCK HALL SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN PRESTON COURT

In May 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Ewan Williams, a 19-year-old resident of Lostock Hall, who was found guilty of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. The incident came to light after authorities responded to information suggesting Williams had shared highly inappropriate and illegal content online.

Police officers visited Williams at his residence on Wateringpool Lane in Lostock Hall following a tip-off about a child abuse image circulating on the internet. During the investigation, they seized a Huawei mobile phone and a tablet, which were linked to Williams through his email address. On April 7, 2021, forensic analysis was conducted on the devices, revealing a disturbing collection of illegal material.

The forensic report confirmed that Williams had visited websites related to child abuse and stored a total of 229 indecent images on his devices. These images were categorized into different levels of severity: six images were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe form of abuse; 44 images fell into Category B; and 179 images were in Category C. Additionally, Williams had shared a Category B image via the Kik messenger app, a fact that the presiding judge, Heather Lloyd, described as a clear indication of his 'revolting interest in sexual abuse of children.'

Williams pleaded guilty to charges of making and distributing indecent images of children and appeared before Preston Crown Court for sentencing. During the hearing, Judge Lloyd addressed Williams directly, condemning his actions and the disturbing nature of his offenses. She emphasized that the children depicted in the images were victims, not willing participants, and that their abuse was inflicted upon them against their will. The judge pointed out that some of the children were as young as three years old, with others being six or seven, and some were teenagers, highlighting the heinousness of the crimes.

Williams attempted to justify his behavior by claiming he was under the influence of cannabis and suffering from mental health issues at the time he sent the messages. However, Judge Lloyd dismissed this explanation, stating that no matter the level of intoxication or mental distress, most individuals do not engage in such criminal acts. She underscored that children are subjected to sexual abuse against their will, and that those like Williams who seek gratification from such images are complicit in their suffering.

Since his arrest, Williams has reportedly taken some steps to understand the reasons behind his offending. Nevertheless, Judge Lloyd noted that his efforts appeared insufficient, as he continued to deny that his actions were sexual in nature or motivated by sexual desires in his presentence report. The judge remarked that Williams's shame and embarrassment seemed to stem primarily from being caught rather than genuine remorse.

In sentencing, the court considered the young ages of the children involved and the fact that Williams shared images via Kik messenger as aggravating factors. The influence of cannabis was also viewed as an additional aggravation. Despite the severity of the crimes, the judge indicated that Williams might have a chance at rehabilitation, primarily due to his age at the time of offending, his lack of prior convictions, and his guilty plea.

Ultimately, Williams was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. The court also ordered him to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity and participate in a 27-day program aimed at addressing his offending behavior. Furthermore, a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, along with notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Register for the same period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct to protect the public from potential future harm.