RICHARD PAYNE SENTENCED IN BURGESS HILL FOR MAKING AND DISTRIBUTING NEARLY 1,000 INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Burgess Hill, Richard Payne, a 45-year-old man, has been handed a substantial prison sentence after being found guilty of creating and sharing a large number of indecent images depicting children. The proceedings took place at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, May 25, following a thorough investigation by Sussex Police's Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT).

Payne, who was identified as a trainee teacher residing on Sycamore Drive in Burgess Hill, appeared before the court to face charges related to his possession and distribution of these illicit images. He had previously entered a guilty plea to six separate offences, which included three counts of producing indecent images and three counts of distributing them.

The court was informed that Payne was responsible for creating a staggering total of 952 indecent images of children. These images were categorized based on their severity, with 241 classified as Category A, indicating the most serious type of material. An additional 109 images fell into Category B, while the remaining 602 were categorized as Category C.

In light of the evidence, the judge sentenced Payne to 30 months in prison. Furthermore, he was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will remain in effect indefinitely. This order imposes strict restrictions on his access to children and computers, aiming to prevent any further harm or offending behavior. Additionally, Payne will be registered on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety.

As part of the court's ruling, a Forfeiture and Destruction Order was issued for Payne’s three computers, which were seized during the investigation. These devices are to be permanently destroyed to prevent any further misuse or distribution of illicit material.

Payne’s arrest was carried out at his residence on Sycamore Drive in Burgess Hill on Wednesday, April 26. The arrest was the culmination of an intelligence-led operation by Sussex Police’s POLIT team, which specializes in investigating online child exploitation and related crimes. The case has garnered significant attention due to the severity of the offences and the community’s concern for the safety of children in Burgess Hill and beyond.