JOSEPH SHAW'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN WIGAN: PAEDOPHILE TRAINER AND CHILD ABUSE IMAGES REVELATION

In August 2020, the disturbing case of Joseph Shaw, a former councillor from Wigan, came to light as he was sentenced to a significant prison term for a series of heinous crimes involving child exploitation and possession of illegal images. Shaw, aged 53, had a long history of offending, which included previous convictions and ongoing violations of court orders aimed at protecting the public from his predatory behavior.

Shaw’s latest conviction stemmed from his active participation in an online network of paedophiles, where he not only shared vile images of children but also boasted about his role in training other offenders. He famously referred to himself as the “paedo master trainer,” a moniker that underscored his self-perceived authority within these illicit circles. The investigation revealed that Shaw was part of a disturbing digital community that exchanged graphic and illegal content, including videos and images depicting the abuse of children.

Authorities uncovered that Shaw had amassed thousands of child abuse images and videos, with a particular obsession with babies and toddlers. His collection included images classified as Category A, B, and C, along with prohibited and extreme pornographic content involving both humans and animals. The police raid on his residence in Dicconson Street, Wigan, uncovered a trove of over 30 electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras, and portable storage units. These devices contained evidence of his ongoing engagement in sharing and discussing child abuse material dating back to January 2013.

During the investigation, officers discovered that Shaw used various aliases, including “the paedo master trainer,” to conceal his identity while communicating with other offenders on messaging platforms like Kik and Telegram. He even established chat rooms with multiple participants, where graphic and disturbing conversations about child abuse took place. Prosecutors revealed that Shaw’s disturbing interest extended to “nepiophilia,” a term referring to the sexual abuse of babies and very young children. Justin Heyhoe, the prosecutor, explained that Shaw had explicitly told others that these images and acts were the only way he could “get horny,” indicating a compulsive and deeply rooted obsession.

Shaw admitted to possessing a staggering total of 3,114 Category A indecent images of children, along with thousands of other illegal images, between January 2013 and July 2019. He also confessed to distributing multiple images across different categories, including five Category A, five Category B, and two Category C images. Additionally, he breached a sexual harm prevention order by possessing equipment used for recording and photographing children under 16, further demonstrating his ongoing predatory behavior.

During sentencing, Judge Graeme Smith described Shaw’s case as “one of the worst he had ever seen,” emphasizing the severity of the crimes, especially given that many images involved babies and toddlers subjected to extreme sexual abuse. The judge expressed outrage and disgust at Shaw’s actions, which he deemed an epidemic within society. As part of his punishment, Shaw was sentenced to five and a half years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Shaw’s criminal history also includes a previous conviction from 2009, when police raided his home in Avondale Street, Standish, Wigan, and discovered nearly 2,000 indecent images of children along with a Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition stored in a safe. Shaw, then 42, had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possessing indecent images, including some involving sadism, as well as possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a license. He was sentenced to six years in prison for these offenses and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years. Shaw’s claims during the investigation suggested that he had downloaded the images by mistake and that the gun and ammunition were unrelated to his criminal activities.

Police and authorities expressed their outrage at Shaw’s actions, condemning his systematic collection and distribution of such horrific material. Detective Constable Phil White of Wigan CID highlighted the trauma inflicted on victims and emphasized the seriousness with which law enforcement treats such offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Shaw, who abuse their positions within the community to facilitate and conceal their predatory behaviors.