SWINTON MAN STEPHEN SAVIDGE CONVICTED FOR CHILD-SEX IMAGE POSSESSION IN SHEFFIELD

In September 2016, a man from Swinton, named Stephen Savidge, was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of possessing indecent photographs of children. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the images and the implications for community safety.

Stephen Savidge, aged 53 and residing on Aldervale Close in Swinton, was convicted after authorities uncovered over 250 photographs stored on his personal computer. Among these images, 19 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of indecency, while an additional 20 fell into Category B. The images depicted young girls aged between four and eleven years old, a detail emphasized by the prosecuting barrister, Carl Fitch QC, during the court proceedings.

Following the conviction, His Honour Judge Paul Slater handed down a sentence that included a three-year community order. Furthermore, Savidge was subjected to a minimum five-year sexual harm prevention order, which aims to restrict his access to certain online content and prevent further offenses. The court also ordered him to pay £425 to cover the costs of the prosecution.

In addition to these penalties, Savidge is required to participate in up to sixty days of rehabilitation activities and must enroll in a sexual offenders' treatment program. The judge made it clear that failure to comply with these conditions could result in his return to Crown Court for further proceedings.

Addressing Savidge directly, Judge Slater expressed disappointment, stating, “You have been caught in possession of indecent imagery. You should have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. All your good name and character has been thrown away.” The judge also acknowledged that Savidge had now fully admitted the extent of his crimes, which was taken into consideration during sentencing.