SIMON MCDONALD WIGAN PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT WITH EXTREME PORN AND CHILD IMAGES IN BINS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wigan, Simon McDonald, aged 44, was found to be involved in serious criminal activities related to child exploitation and possession of extreme pornography.The incident came to light in June 2022 when police uncovered a mobile phone containing highly disturbing content, which McDonald had attempted to conceal by hiding it in a bin.
According to court reports, the police investigation was initiated after McDonald’s case worker alerted authorities about a smashed mobile device.
The police then recovered the phone, which was later analyzed in detail.
The analysis revealed a horrifying collection of indecent images and videos depicting children aged from as young as one month to 11 years old.
The content included extreme pornography, which is classified as Category A, the most severe classification for such material.
Prosecutor Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe explained that the police found a total of 14 Category A images, which are considered the worst type of child abuse material, along with three Category A videos.
Additionally, there were two Category B images and one Category B video, as well as 49 Category C images, which are less severe but still illegal.
The investigation also uncovered that McDonald was actively using a chat application called Wickr, under the username ‘Babies3535’.
In this chat, he distributed five images classified as Category C, all depicting children aged between one month and 11 years old.
Further details revealed that McDonald had previously been convicted of 41 offences, including multiple breaches of court orders and sexual offences.
His history of offending underscores the seriousness of this case, especially considering that he was under strict legal conditions regarding his use of mobile devices.
The court heard that McDonald’s phone was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibited him from owning a device capable of storing images and from possessing images of females under 18.
Despite these restrictions, the analysis of his phone showed clear violations.
McDonald was arrested and subsequently interviewed by police, but he chose to remain silent during questioning, offering no comments.
The court was informed that he had a long-standing pattern of offending, with previous convictions dating back to 2011, including possession of indecent images of children.
His latest offences, involving the possession and distribution of extreme pornography and indecent images, led to his conviction and sentencing.
During the sentencing hearing, Recorder Mark Ainsworth emphasized the gravity of McDonald’s actions.
He stated that McDonald had failed to recognize that the children depicted in the images were victims of sexual abuse.
The judge highlighted that every photo and video of such material represents a real child suffering abuse, and that the existence of this material is driven by demand, which perpetuates the cycle of harm.
In light of the evidence, McDonald, of Broom Road, Wigan, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession of indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornography, breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and distribution of indecent images.
The court sentenced him to five and a half years in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
In a related case from August 2019, McDonald, then aged 41 and residing on Dorning Street, Wigan, was already serving time for similar offences.
He was sentenced to two years and four months after admitting to possessing vile images of children being abused.
His prior convictions included a 2011 case where he was found guilty of possessing indecent images of children, which resulted in a court order preventing him from using computers or storage devices without police approval and from possessing images of females under 18 unless authorized.
The judge ordered the destruction of his phone and extended his registration on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, reflecting the ongoing threat he poses to society.
