MICHAEL BUTTERFIELD AND PETER HORTON SHOCK CHELTENHAM AND CLIFTON WITH CHILD ABUSE FILES

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Cheltenham and Clifton, a court has handed down sentences to two men involved in the possession and distribution of illegal child abuse images. The proceedings took place at Bristol Crown Court, where the seriousness of their crimes was laid bare.

Michael Butterfield, a 64-year-old financial adviser residing on Leigh Road in Clifton, was found to have been engaged in a prolonged and disturbing pursuit of indecent images of children. Over a span of seven years, Butterfield accumulated a staggering collection of approximately 12,000 illegal photographs and video files depicting children being sexually abused. His actions extended beyond mere possession; he actively shared these images with a friend and also distributed them via online platforms, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

Alongside Butterfield appeared Peter Horton, a 74-year-old former military policeman from Whittington Road in Cheltenham. Horton pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one count of distributing indecent images, one count of possessing such images, and 14 counts of creating indecent images of children. The court heard that Horton had manipulated photographs of a naked child—who was the daughter of a family friend—to produce sexually explicit images, which he then shared with Butterfield.

Judge Julian Lambert sentenced Butterfield to six months in prison for his role in the distribution and possession of these illegal images. In Horton’s case, considering his age and health issues, the judge opted for a three-year community order instead of incarceration. Both men were subjected to indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, which prohibit them from accessing the internet without supervision, and they were also ordered not to work with children. Additionally, they are required to register as sex offenders indefinitely.

Prosecutor Richard Posner detailed the extent of Butterfield’s offending, emphasizing that his sexual gratification was derived from seeking out and viewing images of children being sexually abused and degraded. He explained that Butterfield’s criminal activities spanned over seven years, during which he not only stored a vast library of illegal material but also shared it with others, including Horton. Posner revealed that Butterfield had breached the trust of his solicitor, Andrew Gregg of Gregg Latchams, by asking him to store indecent images of children in a safe deposit box without Gregg’s knowledge. These images were created by Horton, who manipulated photographs of a young girl—his own daughter—to depict her in sexually explicit scenarios.

The police investigation, carried out by the Child Abuse Investigation Team, uncovered Butterfield’s illicit activities in July 2010. During a search of his home, authorities examined his computer and found evidence of his involvement in online chats where he expressed a preference for viewing young girls in their mid to late teens naked. Butterfield admitted to supplying Horton with hundreds of images and acknowledged his interest in such material.

Horton was arrested in June of the previous year, and authorities discovered he possessed approximately 1,800 indecent images. His defense team highlighted his prior good character and medical issues, including a brain tumor and a severe heart attack, which they argued should be considered in sentencing. His wife of 44 years remains by his side, and Horton himself expressed remorse, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.

Butterfield’s defense attorney emphasized that his client had a clean criminal record prior to these offenses and had ceased offending. The court was told that Butterfield’s family was devastated by his actions, and he would miss his daughter’s wedding scheduled for that Saturday. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of holding offenders accountable to protect vulnerable children from harm.