RICHARD BAKER FROM WESTBURY JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN WILTSHIRE

In March 2022, a man from Westbury, Richard Baker, aged 66, was sentenced to a prison term exceeding two years after admitting to multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of highly explicit and illegal images of children. Baker, who did not have a fixed address but was associated with the Bratton area of Westbury, received a 28-month jail sentence on March 10 after pleading guilty to seven separate charges concerning indecent images.

The investigation into Baker’s activities was initiated on September 29, 2020, when officers from the Child Internet Exploitation Team at Wiltshire Police responded to intelligence suggesting that Baker had been uploading indecent images to the internet. Authorities visited his residence at that time, which led to a search that uncovered multiple electronic devices. These devices were seized for further examination, revealing a disturbing collection of images.

During the search, investigators discovered several indecent images stored on two mobile phones, including some classified as Category A, which is considered the most severe and explicit type of child abuse imagery. The inquiry was further fueled by information indicating that Baker had been actively using his personal Facebook account to distribute these illegal images to others.

As the investigation progressed, authorities uncovered evidence that Baker not only possessed these extreme images but also engaged in making and sharing them. The police’s efforts to understand the full extent of his offending involved seizing multiple devices and conducting detailed analyses. The evidence collected confirmed that Baker was involved in the distribution of highly disturbing material.

In addition to his jail sentence, Baker was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his access to online platforms and prevent further offending. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £181, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the impact on the victims involved.