REDDITCH PENSIONER RICHARD CHOWRA CAUGHT WITH 30,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND SEARCHING FOR DOG SEX
In a disturbing case that has shocked the Redditch community, Richard Chowra, a 70-year-old resident of Eckington Close, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images of children, totaling over 30,000 files.The case came to light during a police operation on September 26, 2018, when West Mercia Police executed a search warrant at his home following intelligence reports.
During the search, officers discovered a significant number of illegal images stored on Chowra’s computer.
The images included 1,027 at the most severe category, Category A, which depicts penetrative sexual acts involving children.
Additionally, he had downloaded 1,644 images classified as Category B and a staggering 28,065 images at Category C, which are considered less severe but still illegal.
The police also uncovered 12 extreme pornographic images that were described as 'grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character,' all found on September 26 of the previous year.
Prosecutor Simon Phillips explained that the police had acted on intelligence that led them to Chowra’s residence.
When questioned about the presence of indecent images, Chowra reportedly responded, “Yes – I’ll show you,” before officers found the illicit material on his home computer.
The search also yielded ten USB storage devices, DVDs, a digital camera, and SD cards, all of which were seized as evidence.
Chowra was interviewed by police immediately after the search but chose to answer ‘no comment’ to all questions.
He maintained this stance during a second interview, refusing to cooperate further.
During the investigation, police found that Chowra had used specific search terms such as ‘pre-teen,’ ‘zoo sex,’ ‘paedo girl,’ and ‘sex with dog,’ indicating a disturbing interest in illegal and exploitative material.
Furthermore, investigators discovered that he had employed software designed to delete files, and on May 12, 2018, he had removed approximately 40,000 files from his device, the contents of which remain unknown.
Judge Martin Jackson addressed the court, highlighting that Chowra’s silence during police interviews was telling, especially given the substantial evidence against him.
The judge noted that Chowra claimed he began downloading such material to cope with erectile dysfunction, a justification that the court found insufficient.
The case was marked by the prolonged period over which the illegal material was accumulated, spanning more than a decade.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the offenses, Judge Jackson also considered Chowra’s age and health issues, suggesting that imprisonment would have a more severe impact on him than on a younger individual.
The judge emphasized that real children are the victims of these images and that those who download such material contribute to the ongoing exploitation and abuse of minors.
In sentencing, Chowra was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He is required to register as a sex offender and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
This order mandates that he notify police of any new computer equipment, refrain from hiding his browsing history, and make all devices available for inspection.
Additionally, all devices containing indecent images are to be forfeited and destroyed.
The court did not award prosecution costs due to Chowra’s limited financial means, but the seriousness of his offenses remains clear, and the community is urged to remain vigilant against such disturbing crimes.
