NICHOLAS BLATCHLEY CHESHTUNT SOCIAL WORKER JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
| Red Rose Database
Cheshunt Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the Hertfordshire community, Nicholas Blatchley, a former social worker from Cheshunt, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing a significant collection of indecent images of children. The incident came to light after police investigations uncovered that Blatchley had downloaded over 900 such images from the internet during his tenure at Islington Social Services.
Blatchley, who resided at Brookfield Gardens in Cheshunt, was employed by Islington Social Services between 1999 and 2002. During this period, he used his personal home computer to access and download the illicit material. The police action was initiated on February 18, 2003, when authorities raided his residence and confiscated his computer equipment. Forensic analysis revealed that the images were stored both on his computer's hard drive and on a series of floppy disks, indicating a deliberate and sustained effort to acquire such material.
During the court proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, the 49-year-old Blatchley initially denied any involvement in downloading the images. He claimed that someone else must have hacked into his computer to access the material without his knowledge. Furthermore, he suggested that his credit card might have been used without his permission to purchase the images, implying an external party was responsible for the downloads.
However, the prosecution, led by Isobelle Delamere, presented evidence that contradicted Blatchley's claims. Investigators established that only Blatchley himself could have downloaded the images, given the digital footprints and access logs. The police investigation effectively debunked his assertions of innocence, revealing that he was the sole individual responsible for the illicit downloads.
In his defense, Sean Smith acknowledged that Blatchley had indeed downloaded the images and accepted responsibility for his actions. Smith stated, “He was accessing the internet for this type of material over a period of time,” highlighting the extent of his involvement.
As a consequence of his actions, Blatchley faced severe penalties. The presiding judge, Seddon Cripps, emphasized the gravity of the offense and the need for a custodial sentence. Blatchley was sentenced to seven months in prison and was ordered to be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years. The court's decision reflects the serious concern over the safety and well-being of children, and the importance of safeguarding measures within the community.
Blatchley, who resided at Brookfield Gardens in Cheshunt, was employed by Islington Social Services between 1999 and 2002. During this period, he used his personal home computer to access and download the illicit material. The police action was initiated on February 18, 2003, when authorities raided his residence and confiscated his computer equipment. Forensic analysis revealed that the images were stored both on his computer's hard drive and on a series of floppy disks, indicating a deliberate and sustained effort to acquire such material.
During the court proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, the 49-year-old Blatchley initially denied any involvement in downloading the images. He claimed that someone else must have hacked into his computer to access the material without his knowledge. Furthermore, he suggested that his credit card might have been used without his permission to purchase the images, implying an external party was responsible for the downloads.
However, the prosecution, led by Isobelle Delamere, presented evidence that contradicted Blatchley's claims. Investigators established that only Blatchley himself could have downloaded the images, given the digital footprints and access logs. The police investigation effectively debunked his assertions of innocence, revealing that he was the sole individual responsible for the illicit downloads.
In his defense, Sean Smith acknowledged that Blatchley had indeed downloaded the images and accepted responsibility for his actions. Smith stated, “He was accessing the internet for this type of material over a period of time,” highlighting the extent of his involvement.
As a consequence of his actions, Blatchley faced severe penalties. The presiding judge, Seddon Cripps, emphasized the gravity of the offense and the need for a custodial sentence. Blatchley was sentenced to seven months in prison and was ordered to be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years. The court's decision reflects the serious concern over the safety and well-being of children, and the importance of safeguarding measures within the community.