IAN KNIGHT, FORMER MAGISTRATE IN WEST BROMWICH, JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In February 2010, Ian Knight, a former magistrate and Ofsted inspector from West Bromwich, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to multiple sex offenses involving teenage girls.

Knight, aged 50, who previously served as a magistrate in West Bromwich and was later suspended from his Ofsted inspector role following his arrest in September 2007, was found to have used the internet alias 'Reg'—a reference to his role as an Ofsted inspector, often called 'Regies.' Prosecutor Miss Alka Brigue stated, “The reason he was arrested was that police were carrying out a covert internet operation.”

During online chats, Knight lured girls into undressing during webcam sessions by pretending to be a 19-year-old named Reg. He often told girls he was 45 and from Birmingham but occasionally claimed to be 19. His online activities were uncovered when police created a fake 12-year-old profile, leading to his exposure.

Authorities raided Knight’s home in West Bromwich, seizing four computers, including a laptop containing logs of explicit conversations with teenagers. The court was told that Knight had pleaded guilty earlier to 15 child sex offenses, which included making indecent images of children, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Miss Blondelle Thompson, defending Knight, remarked, “He has gone from having status in society to nothing.”

As a consequence of his crimes, Knight has resigned from his position as a magistrate. He has been disqualified indefinitely from working with children and will be on the sex offenders register for ten years.