WARMINSTER EX-ARMY MAJOR MICHAEL PRIDDIS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In October 2007, a serious and disturbing case emerged involving Michael Priddis, a former Army Major stationed in Warminster, who was found to possess an alarming collection of over 3,500 indecent images of children on his personal computer. The incident sent shockwaves through the local community and highlighted the ongoing battle against online child exploitation.

Priddis, aged 34 at the time, had served in the Royal Artillery Regiment and was based at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster. However, he resigned from his military position in July following his arrest on charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of minors, which spanned all five levels of seriousness. The arrest marked a significant turning point in his life and career, leading to a criminal investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior.

Following his arrest, Priddis was brought before Salisbury Crown Court for sentencing. The court proceedings revealed that he had pleaded guilty to 13 charges at an earlier hearing at Salisbury Magistrates Court in September. These charges included one count of possessing indecent or pseudo-photographs of children and 12 counts of making such images over a period of approximately eight years. The evidence presented painted a grim picture of a man who had engaged in these illicit activities over a lengthy period.

Prosecutor Richard Thomas detailed the police operation that led to Priddis' arrest, explaining that authorities from both the United States and the United Kingdom collaborated in a joint effort targeting online child pornography. During the raid on Priddis' residence, police seized various computer equipment, which contained a staggering 3,526 indecent images and 59 indecent movies. The police investigation underscored the severity and scale of the offense, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to combat such crimes.

A police spokesperson commented on the case, stating, “This is yet another example of the number of these types of offences that the police have become involved in. We will continue our fight against those who make and distribute indecent images of children, and the penalties imposed by the courts are a reflection of the severity of those types of offences.”

During the sentencing hearing, Priddis' defense lawyer, Brian Sharman, highlighted that his client had already resigned from his military career and had attempted to start anew in the private sector as a consultant. Unfortunately, this new career was halted once court proceedings commenced. Sharman expressed remorse on behalf of Priddis, stating, “He has lost a good career and all the potential that held. He cannot understand why he did it and does need to be assisted by a programme of professional help, although I can tell this court that he will never do this sort of thing again.”

As part of his sentence, Priddis was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for five years. Additionally, he was mandated to attend an internet sexual offending programme and was required to pay costs amounting to £300. The judge, John Dixon, summarized the case by acknowledging the difficulty in reaching a decision but ultimately decided against imprisonment. Instead, he imposed a community order, including a 36-month supervision period and conditions requiring attendance at specialized courses. The judge emphasized the importance of supervision and rehabilitation in such cases, underscoring the gravity of the offense and the need for ongoing monitoring.