GREGORY MASSEY FROM BUCKSHAW VILLAGE SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES

In April 2014, Gregory Massey, a self-employed plasterer residing in Buckshaw Village near Chorley, faced serious legal consequences after admitting to possessing a large collection of indecent images of children. The case came to light when police officers visited his home on Guernsey Avenue as part of an investigation into a suspicious phone call he had made in May of the previous year.

During the police interview, Massey, a father of two young sons, confessed to having viewed child abuse images online. He explicitly told officers, “adult sites don’t do it for me now,” indicating a shift in his preferences or interests. His admission was part of a broader disclosure where he acknowledged searching for and viewing such disturbing material on the internet.

The police seized multiple electronic devices from his residence, including an iPad, two laptops, and two mobile phones. An examination of these devices revealed a disturbing collection of images and videos. Specifically, they contained 267 images classified as level one, one image at level two, three images at level three, four images at level four, and a total of 185 images and three videos categorized as “extreme.”

Prosecutor Louise Brandon outlined the details of Massey’s online activity, emphasizing his engagement with illegal content. She explained that Massey had admitted to searching for child pornography and viewing indecent images of children. He cited his struggles with depression and stress, which he attributed to unemployment and the breakdown of his marriage, as reasons for his actions. He reportedly used these websites as a form of “fantasy escape,” a phrase that underscores the disturbing nature of his online behavior.

Following his admission, Massey was arrested and brought before Preston Crown Court. The court sentenced him to an 11-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to attend an internet sex offenders programme. As part of his sentence, he was also issued a sexual offences prevention order, and he was required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

DC Ian Mercer, who led the investigation, emphasized the importance of vigilance in cases involving potential child exploitation. He stated, “Any information we receive about potential child exploitation will be pursued with vigour.” The police continue to urge the public to report any suspicions of children being exploited or abused by calling 101, highlighting the ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable children in the community.