WINCHESTER MAN SCOTT FLETCHER-WELLS RECEIVES COMMUNITY ORDER FOR POSSESSING INDECENT IMAGES OF TEENAGERS

A man from Winchester, Scott Fletcher-Wells, aged 25, was found in possession of over 70 indecent images of teenage boys on his phone. Because of his low IQ, which prevented him from understanding the nature of his actions, he was spared from prison. Instead, the judge sentenced him to a three-year community order, citing concerns about his potential vulnerability in prison.

Hampshire Police became aware of Fletcher-Wells after an indecent image of a teenage boy was uploaded to an Instagram account named Little.Gays in June 2020. After linking the account to Fletcher-Wells through matching phone number and IP address, officers visited his shared flat in Staple Gardens. They discovered him locked in his bedroom and seized an iPhone 6, a Samsung phone, and a USB adaptor.

A search of the Samsung device uncovered three Category A indecent images of children, eleven Category B images, and sixty Category C images. The images primarily depicted teenage boys, with a few of girls included. Fletcher-Wells declined to comment during police interviews but provided the phone's PIN. Among the images were selfies of Fletcher-Wells and his family.

The prosecution revealed that Fletcher-Wells was previously known to police and had been cautioned for two sexual offences, including possessing indecent images of children aged between 12 and 14. He spent a significant part of his teenage years in foster care. His defense lawyer, Chloe Jay, explained that his case worker believed he had been abused as a child—a claim Fletcher-Wells himself said he did not remember.

Representing Fletcher-Wells, Ms. Jay said: "He was very keen to admit what he has done and entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. He wants to work with probation and is very aware that his behaviour must change, and that there is a lot of work to be done."

During sentencing on April 13, Judge Susan Evans QC acknowledged Fletcher-Wells's low IQ and noted that he attended a special educational needs school in his youth. A psychiatric report suggested he is likely autistic, which could make him particularly vulnerable in custody. She stated: "Although you had images in your possession which fall under Category A, the number of images was very few, and the ages of the children involved were older than most cases we see."

She expressed greater concern over Fletcher-Wells’s prior caution at age 14 for a similar offence, emphasizing that this should have been a clear warning that such behaviour is unacceptable. Judge Evans added: "The children in these photographs are real victims who are harmed, exploited, and emotionally damaged. By downloading these images, you contribute to the demand that fuels this kind of abuse."

Fletcher-Wells was sentenced to a three-year community order, with a requirement to attend a sexual harm prevention course chosen by the courts. He must also participate in 45 days of rehabilitation activities and pay a fine of £100 within 28 days. Additionally, a deprivation order was issued for the destruction of his phones. During sentencing, he was told he is banned from using devices like phones or computers for five years, except for work purposes. His name has been added to the sex offenders register.