IAIN REDDY SHOCKS PRESTON WITH CHILD SEX IMAGE SCANDAL
In a disturbing case that has rocked the community of Preston, Iain Reddy, a 44-year-old music tutor with a notable teaching career, was found to possess a large collection of indecent images and videos of children.Reddy, who had worked at Blackburn College and was highly regarded by many, including members of a chart-topping 70s band, now faces serious criminal charges that have shattered his reputation.
On April 13 of the previous year, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Reddy’s residence on Fermor Road in Preston.
The raid uncovered approximately 3,500 indecent images and video clips of children stored on his computer.
This discovery was part of a broader international operation targeting paedophiles, which resulted in the arrest of over 80 men across Lancashire, including Reddy.
During the subsequent court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, Judge Stuart Baker sentenced Reddy to a six-month prison term, suspended for two years.
The judge also imposed strict restrictions on Reddy’s future activities, including a ban from working with children and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order that limits his use of the internet.
These measures are designed to prevent any further harm and to monitor his online activity.
Reddy’s background in music includes performances with various bands, notably a wedding group, and work as a session musician.
It is also understood that he has taught at schools in the Chester area and provided private music lessons.
His involvement in the local music scene was well known, and he was even the subject of a Facebook campaign titled “Get Iain Reddy Knighted,” reflecting the high regard in which he was held by some members of the community.
However, the veneer of respectability was shattered when the allegations and evidence of his criminal conduct came to light.
Fellow musician Tony Thorpe, a former member of the band Rubette, expressed his shock and disbelief.
Thorpe stated, “I’m broken hearted really, I never suspected anything like this.
I haven’t heard from him nor have the former students for around two years, and we were bewildered.
We were very friendly and did gigs together.
He was a terrific player.” Thorpe also voiced his confusion and concern, saying, “I don’t understand what he’s done and why.
It has been immensely painful for all of us.
We are shocked and choked by what’s happened.
I’m not supportive of what he has done, but at the same time am worried about him.
I have no idea what makes anyone do this.” Reddy admitted to offences committed between August 2011 and April 2014, which included possessing approximately 3,500 images of children and making three counts of indecent images, including 18 of the most serious kind under law.
As part of his sentence, he is required to participate in the internet sex offender programme and will be under supervision for two years.
His computer equipment was also confiscated as part of the investigation.
