STOKE-ON-TRENT SEX OFFENDER MATHEW THWAITES SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stoke-on-Trent, Mathew Thwaites, a 23-year-old man, was found to possess an alarming collection of over 1,500 child abuse images on his electronic devices. The investigation revealed that Thwaites had been downloading these illicit images during his teenage years, but continued to view and retain them into adulthood, often using alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with his actions.

Authorities executed a search at Thwaites’s residence on Wignall Road, Sandyford, on December 13, 2018. During the raid, police recovered two iPhones, an iPad, and two computers. The digital devices contained a disturbing array of illegal content, including indecent images of children, with some depicting very young children, as well as extreme pornographic material. The police analysis classified the images into categories, revealing 1,066 images at Category C, 175 at Category B, and 276 at Category A—the most severe classification.

Further investigations uncovered a WhatsApp conversation dated May 11, 2018, in which Thwaites sent a Category A image of a child to another individual, indicating active distribution of such material. During police interviews, Thwaites admitted that he had started viewing indecent images of children at the age of 15. He took responsibility for all the images found and explained that he had used an app called Tumbler to access this content. He claimed to have not viewed such images for the past three months prior to his arrest.

Thwaites pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of distributing an indecent image, and possession of an extreme pornographic image. His actions prompted a serious legal response from the court. Prosecutor Nick Tatlow highlighted the severity of the case, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the images, which included very young children, and the fact that Thwaites had actively shared illegal content.

In sentencing, the judge acknowledged the significant delay between the commission of the offences and the court proceedings, describing it as a form of punishment in itself. The court considered a custodial sentence of 12 to 15 months but ultimately opted for a community order, allowing Thwaites to avoid immediate imprisonment. The community order includes a requirement for Thwaites to participate in a sex offender group work programme, a 30-day rehabilitation activity, and 160 hours of unpaid work. The judge warned Thwaites that any further offences committed while under the community order would result in a harsher response, with no leniency.

Additionally, Thwaites was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years. He is also prohibited from engaging in activities involving children and vulnerable adults. The court ordered him to pay costs amounting to £425. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of illegal images of children and highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.