ian hewitt Child Sexual Abuser in Chester

On 3rd October 2023, in the Crown Court at Chester (HHJ Leeming), Ian Hewitt pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children (Counts 1 to 3), one count of possession of indecent photographs of children (Count 4), seven counts of distributing indecent photographs of children (Counts 5 to 11), two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child (Counts 12 and 16), two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence (Counts 13 and 14), two counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity (Counts 15 and 18), one count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act (Count 17) and three counts of attempted sexual communication with a child (Counts 19 to 21).

On 7 November 2023, before the same court, the appellant (then aged 50) was sentenced.

A sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment was imposed on Count 1 to reflect the making/possession of indecent photographs of a child with concurrent sentences on other such counts, a sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment consecutive, was passed in respect of Count 5 to reflect the distribution of indecent photographs of children offending, with concurrent sentences on other such counts, and a consecutive special custodial sentence comprising of a custodial sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment and 1 year’s extended licence was passed on Count 13 (intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence - that is encouraging the rape of a girl under 13 years of age) with concurrent sentences on all other counts including 32 month concurrent sentences on Counts 14 and 18, a 16 month concurrent sentence on Counts 15 and a 14 month concurrent sentence on Count 17, a total sentence consisting of standard determinate sentences totalling 4 years’ imprisonment followed by a special custodial sentence comprising of a custodial sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment and a 1 year extended licence consecutive.