REX BERRECLOTH FROM PAGLESHAM CAUGHT WITH CHILD SEX IMAGES NEAR ROCHFORD

In August 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Rex Berrecloth, a 69-year-old resident of The Chase in Paglesham, a small village near Rochford. Berrecloth, who has previously worked as a teacher and also serves as a church organist, was found to be in possession of a significant collection of illicit images on multiple devices.

On June 29, authorities conducted a search of his residence after receiving credible information that led them to believe he was involved in the possession of indecent material. During the raid, police seized a computer tower, two memory sticks, and a memory card, all of which contained a total of 426 images.

According to the court proceedings at Southend Magistrates’ Court, the majority of these images were classified as category B and category C, indicating a range of less severe to moderate explicit content. Importantly, none of the images fell into the most serious category, category A. Some of the images were computer-generated, which further complicates the nature of the material.

In addition to the digital evidence, law enforcement officials discovered non-sexual photographs of children on a camera belonging to Berrecloth. These images appeared to have been taken at a church fête, raising concerns about the context in which they were captured.

Prosecutor Ian Allen explained that the police investigation was initiated after receiving specific information, which prompted the raid and subsequent seizure of the devices. He stated, “They were subsequently investigated and they found indecent images of children.”

Berrecloth’s background includes a role in the community as a former teacher and a church organist, notably involved in efforts to secure funding for the restoration of the historic 11th-century St Peter’s Church in Paglesham, where he also plays the organ. Despite his community involvement, the court noted that he has no prior criminal convictions.

In sentencing, magistrates imposed a 36-month community order on Berrecloth. He is required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, participate in an internet sex offenders’ treatment program, and pay costs amounting to £85 along with an £85 victim surcharge. Additionally, he is mandated to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities related to this case.