MICHAEL TATHAM SENTENCED IN THEALE FOR POSSESSING CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
In August 2017, Michael Tatham, formerly residing on Mulberry Way in Theale, was handed a suspended sentence after being found in possession of graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse.Tatham, aged 39, was discovered to have more than 1,300 indecent images of children and was subsequently left homeless and disowned by his family.
The police investigation was prompted when a barmaid at a pub in Theale reported that Tatham had shown her a distressing video on his laptop depicting a young girl being raped.
Prosecutor Michael Tatham explained at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, August 1, that: "During his conversation with the landlady, he opened his laptop and started playing a video which took her by surprise.
It was a horrific film involving adult males and young children between the ages of six and eight.
During the course of playing it he pointed at one of the young girls and said 'this is Emily, isn’t she lovely, look they are enjoying it.'" The barmaid contacted the authorities, and when police arrived, they found Tatham clenching a USB stick loaded with hundreds of images.
Tatham admitted to possessing more than 100 indecent images of children classified as Category A and B, along with approximately 1,100 images categorized as Category C.
The images and videos depicted children as young as four being sexually abused.
Judge Johanna Cutts addressed the court, stating: "Young children as young as four have been sexually assaulted for the gratification of people like you.
If it was not for people like you, these types of images and abuse would not be a problem.
There is an awful lot wrong with your life, and I hope you will use this chance to make sure nothing like this happens again." Tatham was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work, complete 50 days of rehabilitation, and was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.
