SHILDON MAN CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SEARCHED FOR ‘BESTIALITY’
A disturbed individual from Shildon named Jason Barry Wheatley was discovered to possess nearly 400 disturbing images after searching online for terms such as "bestiality," "pre-teens," and "underage teens." In August 2024, police responded to reports linking an IP address associated with Wheatley's home to the upload of four illegal children’s images to Google.A search of Wheatley's property resulted in the seizure of four devices, including a Samsung mobile phone.
During a voluntary police interview, Wheatley denied having any illegal images of children.
Prosecutor Lucy Todd stated that a digital forensic examination of the phone uncovered 394 images, 40 of which were classified as the most serious category.
His internet browsing history raised suspicions due to searches for terms like "bestiality," "pre-teens," and "underage teens." The 47-year-old, of Hazeldene Avenue, pled guilty to three counts of producing indecent images of children.
He was ordered to complete at least 25 days of rehabilitation activities and participate in a six-month mental health treatment program supervised by the Probation Service.
Wheatley was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Additionally, a confiscation order was granted for his mobile phone, which contained the incriminating material.
