PAUL WILKINSON FROM WARRINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AT OLD HALL

In a serious case that has shocked the Warrington community, 25-year-old Paul Wilkinson was brought before Warrington Crown Court following a police raid at his residence in Old Hall. The incident unfolded in January when law enforcement officers executed an early morning operation at Wilkinson’s home on Willoughby Close, leading to his immediate arrest.

During the subsequent investigation, authorities confiscated Wilkinson’s Packard computer, which was subjected to detailed forensic analysis. The search revealed a disturbing collection of digital material, with a total of 2,404 indecent images of children stored on the device. Among these, fifteen images had been deliberately downloaded using a file-sharing program, a tool commonly used for exchanging music and other media files online. This indicates an active effort on Wilkinson’s part to acquire such illicit content.

Despite attempts to delete most of the offending images, some remained stored on his hard drive, highlighting a clear intent to conceal the material. The images were classified according to their explicitness, with two of them receiving the most severe rating of five, indicating the highest level of explicit content involving minors. The severity of these images underscores the gravity of Wilkinson’s actions.

In court, Wilkinson admitted to being a ‘porn addict’ who spent approximately six hours daily browsing the internet for ‘fetish’ images. He claimed that his interest was limited to girls aged 16 and above and insisted he was unaware that possessing such material was illegal. His defense lawyer, Philip Martin, acknowledged the serious implications of Wilkinson’s crimes, emphasizing that the ongoing viewing of such images perpetuates the victim’s suffering, preventing them from achieving closure.

Mr. Martin also argued that Wilkinson’s ‘perverted interest’ could be addressed more effectively through a rehabilitative approach. He suggested that a program designed to explore the underlying reasons for his paedophilia might serve as a more constructive punishment than incarceration alone.

However, Judge Thomas Teague QC was unequivocal in his judgment, stating that Wilkinson ‘richly deserves’ a prison sentence. In his sentencing remarks, the judge condemned Wilkinson’s actions, noting that his extensive viewing of repulsive pornography involving underage girls was a clear indication of his guilt. The court sentenced Wilkinson to eight months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, contingent upon his participation in a rehabilitation program. Failure to attend the program would result in the immediate serving of the prison term.

Additionally, Wilkinson was ordered to register as a sex offender, a requirement that will remain in effect for five years. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the judiciary to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from harm.