MICHAEL WILKINSON SENTENCED IN BEXHILL FOR CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OFFENSES
A man from Bexhill, Michael Wilkinson, has been sentenced to six years in prison after paying for explicit photographs of a child in the Philippines, with the images posed according to his specifications.The investigation involved Sussex Police detectives working alongside the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Philippine National Police.
Wilkinson, 36, a decorator by profession, appeared at Hove Crown Court on 10 November, where he admitted charges of inciting and facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, creating indecent images of children, and possessing both prohibited and extreme images.
He will also be registered as a sex offender for life and has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which places severe restrictions on his access to children and digital devices for life.
Additionally, there is a five-year travel restriction order starting from his release date, which can be renewed every five years.
Detective Constable Richard Gill, of Sussex Police's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), explained, 'The investigation began in April 2020 when we received intelligence that Wilkinson was downloading indecent images of children.' He added, 'This was confirmed when we executed a warrant at his home, seizing his phone and other devices.
During our further inquiries, we discovered he had been paying via a third party in the Philippines for a girl aged between nine and 12 to pose for indecent photos, which were then sent to him.' According to police, Wilkinson received videos and still images of the girl in specific poses he ordered as part of the transaction.
It was also uncovered that Wilkinson had made contacts in the Philippines during backpacking trips years earlier, using these connections to communicate with the child's family for his own sexual gratification over an extended period.
The investigation involved close cooperation with the NCA's international network and the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC).
Police collaborated with these agencies to locate the child and ensure her and her sisters' safety.
Detective Gill emphasized the success of this international and multi-agency effort, noting, 'This was a great example of inter-agency and international law enforcement cooperation which has reached across more than 10,000 miles to take action against a predatory offender and safeguard innocent children.'
