SOUTHMEAD MAN MICHAEL BARTRUM SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN BRISTOL

In a case that has shocked the Southmead community and the wider Bristol area, Michael Bartrum, a 26-year-old resident of Ascot Road in Southmead, has been convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children. The court proceedings, which took place at Bristol Crown Court, revealed that Bartrum had spent years accumulating a staggering collection of approximately 12,000 images depicting minors aged between nine and 16.

These images included both photographs and videos, with police uncovering a total of 11,800 images and 268 movies stored across CDs, DVDs, and two computer hard drives. The investigation was initiated after authorities identified Bartrum as a subscriber to child abuse websites, prompting a search of his residence. During the search, law enforcement officials recovered the digital media, which contained material classified predominantly in the lowest categories of severity, with 99 percent deemed to be of the least serious nature.

At the hearing, the prosecution, led by Richard Posner, outlined the extent of Bartrum’s online activity. He admitted to using such websites, although he claimed to have avoided viewing pre-pubescent children. The court was informed that Bartrum had pleaded guilty to 20 charges of making indecent photographs of children, along with an additional charge of possessing such images. The judge, Michael Longman, expressed concern over several aspects of the case, including the prolonged period over which Bartrum accessed and downloaded the material, the fact that he was a subscriber rather than a casual user, and the sheer volume of images he had amassed.

In sentencing, Judge Longman ordered Bartrum to participate in a sex offender training program, to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years, and to pay costs amounting to £100. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and monitoring of offenders involved in child exploitation crimes.

During the proceedings, Robert Morgan-Jones, representing Bartrum, described his client as an isolated individual who viewed the police intervention as a relief. He explained that Bartrum had become increasingly withdrawn, spending significant amounts of time on his computer. The defense highlighted that Bartrum lives with his mother and that his father had passed away three years prior, suggesting a background of personal hardship that may have contributed to his behavior. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such crimes in communities like Southmead and beyond.