RICHARD HELSBY FROM WALLASEY JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Wallasey, Richard Helsby, a man with a troubling history, was sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing offenses involving the exploitation of underage girls and the possession of indecent images. The proceedings took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where the details of Helsby’s actions were laid bare for the court and the public to hear.

It was revealed that Helsby, who had been employed by Liverpool City Council for over two decades, engaged in highly inappropriate and illegal activities online. He falsely claimed to be a 17-year-old boy and sent explicit images of himself to teenage girls aged 13 and 15. Additionally, he managed to persuade a 14-year-old girl to send him photographs of herself, some in underwear or partially undressed. These actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation.

The court was informed that Helsby’s misconduct extended beyond mere messaging. He shared these images with another man, indicating a level of distribution that compounded his criminal behavior. When police executed a raid on his residence in October 2007, located on Lindeth Road in Wallasey, they uncovered a trove of nearly 3,500 indecent images on his computer. These images were categorized mainly as posing images, but also included seven in the most serious category, highlighting the severity of his collection.

Joanne Maxwell, prosecuting, explained that the investigation was triggered after a former girlfriend of Helsby, aged 46, reported her findings to police. She discovered that Helsby had been pretending to be a 15-year-old boy and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with young girls via MSN chat sites. This revelation prompted police to act swiftly. Officers visited Helsby’s home and seized his computer, along with discs, a mobile phone, and a camera. The evidence collected confirmed the allegations, revealing indecent images and the false identity he used to manipulate young girls.

Further investigation uncovered that Helsby had a prior conviction for indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl, dating back 25 years. His recent actions led to his pleading guilty to 12 counts of making indecent images and five counts of distributing such images. The court heard that Helsby’s behavior was not only illegal but also deeply troubling, given his history and the nature of his offenses.

Judge Nigel Gilmour, QC, sentenced Helsby to 16 months in prison. Additionally, he ordered Helsby to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from being in the company of anyone under 16. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.

Helsby’s defense attorney, Quentin Neal, highlighted that Helsby, who resides on Arnside Road in Wallasey, has been married for 14 years and is facing significant personal difficulties. Neal argued that Helsby requires treatment and support, which he would not receive in prison, and expressed concern that incarceration would increase his risk and hinder his chances of employment upon release. Despite these pleas, the court prioritized public safety and the severity of the offenses committed.