CUDDINGTON STUDENT JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES COLLECTION

A university student from Cuddington has been found guilty of collecting numerous indecent images of children, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of children aged five. The court heard that Mark Chesworth, aged 20, had accessed a total of 65 indecent images, with 35 classified as category A—the most severe—featuring videos of the sexual abuse of a five-year-old boy, a five-year-old girl, and children being sexually abused by multiple perpetrators simultaneously. Prosecutor Peter Hussey explained that these images were found on Chesworth's iPhone and that investigation revealed his IP address was involved in accessing these illicit materials. He also added that Cheshire Police's Online Child Abuse Team raided his home last year after obtaining information from internet companies. Chesworth pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of a child in court last month. His legal representative, Chantelle Stocks, argued that his behavior stemmed from immaturity and social isolation, noting that his entire life at the time revolved around the internet. She emphasized his previously law-abiding lifestyle but acknowledged that the offenses tarnished his record. The judge sentenced Chesworth to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, alongside 35 days of rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work. He is also subject to a one-year mental health treatment order, a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and is required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. Judge Patrick Thompson stated, 'The purpose of the sentence is the protection of children. It seems to me immediate imprisonment would do nothing to challenge your behavior, and it would be more constructive to suspend the nine months for 18 months. It is an opportunity for you to start to rebuild your life.'