HUGH BATTENBO'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN DIDSBURY

A 70-year-old pensioner from Didsbury, Hugh Battenbo, has been convicted of possessing an alarming collection of nearly 23,000 indecent images of children. The images included a disturbing variety of content, such as photographs of children as young as five, animated cartoons, and caricatures, some of which were moving images. Battenbo, who is also identified as a scientist, was found to have used photo editing software to manipulate these images, further highlighting the disturbing nature of his activities.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Battenbo’s possession of these illicit materials spanned almost two years. Prosecutors detailed that the images depicted the gross abuse of children, and the case drew significant attention due to the sheer volume and disturbing content involved. Battenbo initially claimed that he had downloaded the images by accident while searching for legal pornography, a defense that the court did not find convincing.

In sentencing, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment, opting instead for a suspended sentence. Additionally, Battenbo was subjected to a court order that restricts his internet use for the next ten years, aiming to prevent any further access to such material. The judge emphasized the darker side of Battenbo’s actions, describing the images as representing the 'gross abuse' of children, and underscored the serious nature of the offense despite the defendant’s age and background.