MATTHEW MCGEE FROM BIRCHWOOD CAUGHT WITH CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AGAIN IN WARRINGTON

In a disturbing case that has once again brought attention to the ongoing issue of child exploitation, Matthew McGee, a resident of Birchwood, was found to be in possession of a significant collection of indecent images of children. The incident, which occurred in April 2020, led to his initial conviction and sentencing, but the case took a troubling turn when further evidence was uncovered months later.

In September of the previous year, at Chester Magistrates Court, McGee, aged 44 and living on Lyster Close in Birchwood, was fined and given a two-year community order after being found with 1,041 vile images depicting child abuse. Despite this, authorities continued their investigation, and in October, additional images were discovered on two separate devices belonging to him. These images, categorized as category C indecent images, amounted to approximately 1,000 more pictures, further highlighting the severity of his actions.

The court in Warrington was informed on Monday, March 22, that McGee had not reported these images to the police and had shown no intention of deleting them, raising serious concerns about his awareness and attitude towards his offending behavior. During an earlier hearing, McGee admitted to making indecent images, possessing such images, and breaching his previous community order.

In response, magistrates sentenced him to a 12-week prison term, which was suspended for two years. The court justified this leniency by noting that McGee was currently complying with probation requirements and could potentially be rehabilitated. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 and court costs of £85.

Furthermore, McGee was mandated to register as a sex offender for the next seven years, a standard procedure in cases involving sexual offenses against minors. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his mobile phone, which was used to store the illegal images. To prevent any future harm, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, lasting for five years, restricting his activities and contact with minors.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of monitoring individuals convicted of such offenses. The community remains vigilant, and authorities continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable children from predators like Matthew McGee.