MARK PIDGLEY OF CHRISTCHURCH SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN BOURNEMOUTH FOR SECRET IMAGES

In June 2021, Bournemouth Crown Court sentenced Mark Pidgley, a 46-year-old resident of Portfield Close, Christchurch, to two years in prison after he was convicted of taking and sharing clandestine images of a young girl.

The court heard that Pidgley had taken hundreds of secret photographs of the minor, and shared 46 of these images with other users on the Kik mobile app. Prosecutor Stuart Ellacott revealed that Pidgley also made disturbing comments about the victim, including an admission in one message that he had "not f***ed" her "yet".

The police investigation began when officers discovered that Pidgley was sharing other abuse-related images online. During questioning, Pidgley initially claimed he shared such images in an attempt to "trap" others who may have an unhealthy interest in children.

However, subsequent investigations revealed the extent of his offending, uncovering 316 images he had taken of the young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. During a second police interview, Pidgley admitted to his crimes.

At the court hearing, Pidgley pleaded guilty to ten charges: four involving the girl and six relating to the distribution of various abuse images via the Kik app. These images featured children as young as one year old.

Judge Brian Forster dismissed suggestions from defence counsel, Mr Hoarder, that a suspended sentence or community order with rehabilitation could be appropriate, stating, "Unfortunately I cannot do so because the facts of this case are shocking and serious."

In addition to his prison term, Pidgley was subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, was banned indefinitely from contacting the victim, and ordered to destroy all related devices.