JOSHUA WETHERELL OF WARMINSTER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Warminster, Joshua Wetherell, aged 31, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after a detailed investigation uncovered his involvement in serious child sexual offences spanning over a decade. The case came to light in July 2019 when police authorities received intelligence indicating that indecent images of children were being uploaded to the internet through Wetherell's Facebook account and associated email address.

Following this tip-off, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Wetherell’s residence, which is located in Boreham Field, Warminster. During the search, they confiscated multiple electronic devices, including mobile phones, a hard drive, a computer tower, DVDs, and USB sticks. These items were subjected to forensic analysis, which revealed a staggering collection of illegal material. Investigators discovered a total of 105,028 indecent images of children, categorized from A to C, along with 27,241 prohibited images and 647 extreme images. The devices also contained explicit messages that detailed instances of child sexual abuse.

Further examination of the material uncovered a deeply troubling fact: some of the images depicted Wetherell himself engaging in sexual acts with children known to him. This evidence confirmed that Wetherell was not only in possession of illegal images but was also actively involved in abusing children, some of whom he knew personally.

Wetherell appeared before Salisbury Crown Court last Friday, where he pleaded guilty to a total of 21 charges. These charges included sexual assault of young children, arranging or facilitating child sex offences, causing children to engage in sexual activities, creating indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornographic material. His guilty plea marked a significant step in addressing the severity of his crimes.

The court sentenced Wetherell to 12 years in prison. Additionally, due to his classification as a dangerous offender, he was given an extended four-year license period upon release. To further protect the public, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed, restricting his activities and contact with minors. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and highlights the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children from predators like Joshua Wetherell.