SALVATORE CATALANO FROM ABERYSTWYTH FACES JAIL OVER CHILD ABUSE FILMS

In a case that has shocked the community of Aberystwyth, Salvatore Catalano, a 35-year-old man residing on Pier Street, was found to be in possession of a disturbing collection of indecent films depicting sexual offences against children. The court proceedings revealed that Catalano had been under scrutiny since the news of his prosecution appeared in the Cambrian News, which had caused him to face social and personal difficulties within the town.

According to court records, Catalano admitted to possessing a total of 32 films that contained explicit content involving minors. Of these, 15 were classified as the most serious Category A, with one film featuring a child approximately three years old being subjected to sexual abuse. The police investigation was initiated when officers raided Catalano’s flat last year while he was on holiday in Italy. During the raid, they confiscated several electronic devices, including a USB stick, which was later examined by experts.

It was revealed that the USB stick contained the illicit films, along with Catalano’s curriculum vitae, indicating that the device also stored personal information. The police found that the films were stored in a password-protected file, making access more difficult. Prosecutor Ian Ibrahim detailed how the police acted swiftly to seize the items, and the investigation uncovered the disturbing nature of the content.

During police interviews, Catalano reportedly stated that he turned to viewing child sexual abuse images after his sexual relationship with his partner deteriorated. His defense lawyer, Paul Hobson, explained that the films had been downloaded in 2012 while Catalano was living in Poland. Since his arrest, Catalano has suffered significant consequences, including the loss of his employment and plans to leave Aberystwyth to escape the social stigma and personal turmoil caused by the case.

Judge Mr. Recorder Chris Clee issued a stern warning to Catalano, emphasizing that he could face immediate imprisonment if the court deemed it appropriate. The judge also highlighted the particularly young ages of some of the children depicted in the films, with some as young as two to four years old, underscoring the severity of the offences.

Ultimately, Catalano was sentenced to 10 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 60-day rehabilitation program, which would be arranged by the probation service. The court also mandated that he undertake 200 hours of unpaid community service and register as a sex offender with the police for the next decade. These measures aim to monitor and prevent any future offending behavior, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed.

Earlier in March 2017, Catalano had already pleaded guilty to possessing the 32 indecent videos of children during proceedings at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court. The initial charges included making the videos, with 15 of them falling into the most serious category. However, these charges were later withdrawn and replaced with possession offences, which the magistrates deemed serious enough to warrant transfer to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing, as their powers were insufficient for such cases.

On June 30 of the previous year, police executed a warrant at Catalano’s flat while he was away in Italy. During the search, officers seized various electronic items, including a USB stick containing the illicit videos. The examination of the device also revealed Catalano’s CV, indicating that the device stored both personal and criminal content. Despite being arrested upon his return from holiday, Catalano refused to comment during police interviews.

As the case moves forward, Catalano is scheduled for sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on March 24. He has been granted bail under strict conditions, including a ban on unsupervised contact with children and restrictions on international travel without court approval. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender within three days of his court appearance, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with legal obligations.