LEE HILTON FROM STALYBRIDGE ESCAPES PRISON AFTER CHILD PORN AND ANIMAL ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stalybridge, Lee Hilton, aged 45, was found to possess an extensive collection of illegal and highly disturbing images depicting child abuse and animal pornography. The incident came to light after police conducted a search of Hilton’s residence in Stalybridge in 2018, uncovering a significant cache of illicit material stored on his laptop.

During the search, authorities discovered a total of 251 images classified as Category A, which are considered the most severe and depict the worst forms of child abuse. Additionally, there were 92 images categorized as Category B and 72 images in Category C, all of which involve various degrees of child exploitation. The device also contained 60 extreme pornographic images involving animals, highlighting the disturbing nature of Hilton’s online activities.

Hilton claimed that he uploaded these images into online chatrooms with the purported intention of 'deter[ring] others from engaging with children.' However, this explanation was met with strong condemnation from the court. The judge, Bernadette Baxter, explicitly labeled Hilton a 'child abuser' during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

Prosecutor Matthew Howarth explained that police were able to track Hilton’s online activity through intelligence provided by the National Crime Agency. The investigation revealed that a Category C image had been sent to an IP address linked directly to Hilton’s phone, which ultimately led to his arrest in December 2018. Following his arrest, officers seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis.

During police interviews, Hilton admitted to uploading the illicit images and even posed as a fictitious child to discourage others from engaging in similar activities. He also revealed that he created a fake identity as a woman named Emma, claiming to be a mother of an eight-year-old girl, and maintained this persona for several years. Hilton admitted to uploading images approximately twice a week, with most of the material stored on his laptop. Forensic examination confirmed that some of the images were moving videos, including one depicting a girl aged between two and four years old.

Hilton was actively involved in chatrooms where he communicated with other individuals and received images via email, further illustrating his engagement in this disturbing online network. Despite the severity of his actions, the court acknowledged some potential for rehabilitation, considering his guilty plea, age, and previous good character.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Baxter stated, 'You have lost your good character by your guilty pleas. These are real children being abused by real adults to satisfy a market that is occupied by you. It must have been obvious to you that it was real children who were being abused so you are a child abuser and a paedophile.' She noted Hilton’s candor and insight into his actions, which contributed to her decision to suspend his prison sentence.

Hilton, residing at Bramble Court, Millbrook, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities and participate in a 'making changes' programme. Hilton is also required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk to the community.