SWINDON CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR PHILIP BROWN CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

A man from Swindon, known for his work as a children's book author, has been found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images and videos of minors. Philip Brown, who also goes by the aliases Will Elmore and Wilbur Elmo on various social media platforms, appeared in court to face serious charges related to child exploitation.

During the proceedings at Swindon Crown Court on April 4, it was disclosed that Brown had been actively using the internet to search for highly disturbing and illegal images depicting the abuse of young children. This revelation came to light after authorities executed a search warrant at his residence, where they seized multiple electronic devices for forensic examination.

Investigators' analysis of the confiscated devices uncovered a disturbing collection of images. Among these, 46 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe form of abuse involving penetration. In addition, there were 59 images categorized as Category B and 45 in Category C, which involve less severe but still illegal content.

In a surprising twist, it was also revealed that in 2020, Brown authored and published a children's book titled “The Troll & The Fairy and Other Poems” on Amazon. Under the pseudonym “Willo The Wisp,” the book was priced at £2.22. This detail added a layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the stark contrast between his public persona and his criminal activities.

Judge Jason Taylor KC addressed the court, noting that Brown's expressions of remorse appeared insincere, though he acknowledged that the defendant was at least ashamed and regretful of his actions. The court ultimately sentenced Brown to a 20-month prison term, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits further offenses within that period.

Furthermore, Brown is mandated to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities under supervision of probation services. He is also required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued against him for an equivalent duration, restricting his future conduct and contact with minors.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and highlights the disturbing reality that individuals involved in such heinous crimes can sometimes present themselves publicly in a completely different light.