SHAUN WESTGARTH'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN NEWCASTLE REVEALED
In a disturbing case uncovered in Newcastle, Shaun Westgarth, a man with a troubling history of child exploitation, was found in possession of a secret mobile device containing hundreds of illicit images of children.This discovery came just weeks after his release from prison, raising serious concerns about his ongoing risk to the community.
Westgarth, aged 38, had previously served time for offences related to indecent images of children in 2018.
Following his earlier conviction, he was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which mandated him to disclose any devices capable of accessing the internet to the authorities.
Despite these legal restrictions, Westgarth failed to comply fully.
When officers from the police visited the Newcastle bail hostel where he was residing, they conducted a search and discovered a Samsung Galaxy phone concealed in his pocket.
Westgarth had not disclosed this device during his initial reporting, raising suspicions of deliberate concealment.
Prosecutor Alec Burns addressed Newcastle Crown Court, revealing the findings from the phone analysis.
He stated, “The phone was analysed and on the phone were found to be still images of children.
He deliberately hid this phone, he mentioned one but not this one.” The investigation uncovered a staggering total of 598 images depicting child abuse on the device.
Among these, 125 images were classified within the most severe category of their type, indicating the explicit and serious nature of the material.
Further details from the court revealed that most of the children depicted were between the ages of seven and ten, although the images ranged from as young as two years old up to 14.
This highlights the disturbing breadth of Westgarth’s offending.
Shaun Westgarth pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photographs of children and breaching the sexual harm prevention order.
In sentencing, Judge Robert Spragg imposed a custodial term of 28 months.
Additionally, Westgarth was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and adhere to the sexual harm prevention order for a period of ten years.
Judge Spragg emphasized the ongoing risk Westgarth posed, stating, “You clearly remain a high risk of committing offences of this type in future.” It is noteworthy that Westgarth’s criminal history includes a previous conviction in 2016, when he was jailed for 16 months for similar offences involving child exploitation.
His repeated offending underscores the persistent danger he represents to the community in Newcastle.
