SIMON BRADSHAW FROM EASTLEIGH CAUGHT VIEWING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the local community, Simon Bradshaw, a 31-year-old resident of Cumberland Avenue, Chandler’s Ford, was found to have been viewing highly inappropriate and illegal images involving young children. The incident came to light in January 2011 when colleagues at his workplace in Eastleigh discovered the disturbing content on a computer they needed to use for routine tasks.

According to reports presented at Southampton Crown Court, the colleagues had to turn on the computer to operate a printer. Upon doing so, one of them noticed a list of files with names that strongly suggested they contained pornographic material. To their horror, the files included images of young girls, with some as young as 18 months old. The colleagues, visibly distressed by what they saw, immediately confronted Bradshaw, who was present at the time. His reaction was to resign from his position on the spot, indicating an awareness of the gravity of the situation.

Further investigation revealed that Bradshaw had been accessing this illegal material from the same source that had previously led to his imprisonment in 2009. He was found to have been viewing and possessing 15 indecent images of young girls, whose ages ranged from 18 months to 12 years old. Bradshaw was already on the sex offenders’ register at the time of this latest offense, which compounded the seriousness of his actions.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Eleanor Fargin detailed the extent of the material found, emphasizing the distress caused to those who uncovered it. The images were so disturbing that the colleagues who saw a sample of the content were physically sick. The court was told that Bradshaw’s actions warranted a severe penalty, not only to punish him but also to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar behavior.

Judge Derwin Hope sentenced Bradshaw to 18 months in prison, highlighting the severity of the offense. He stated, “Work colleagues saw a sample of the material and were so distressed they were sick. Only an immediate jail sentence could be imposed, not only to punish him but to deter others.” The judge also issued a stern warning to Bradshaw, saying, “If you are ever foolish enough to engage in this sort of behaviour again, you will face a prison sentence running into years.”

In addition to his prison term, Bradshaw was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. The court also restricted his internet use, allowing him only to access it for employment purposes, lawful recreation, or to purchase goods and services. Defense lawyer Andy Houston described Bradshaw as “isolated” and facing significant personal problems that needed addressing, suggesting that rehabilitation might be possible with proper support. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Eastleigh, raising concerns about the presence of such offenders and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children.