WILLIAM MCKINNEY'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS AND ST HELENS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Merseyside community, William McKinney, a 60-year-old resident of Newton-le-Willows and previously of St Helens, was brought before Liverpool Crown Court to face serious charges related to the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse images.

McKinney pleaded guilty to multiple counts of making and sharing indecent images of children, a revelation that emerged during the court proceedings. The investigation was initiated after authorities discovered that a Google account linked to McKinney contained numerous illicit images depicting children being subjected to abuse.

Further analysis of McKinney’s laptop by police uncovered a horrifying collection of hundreds of indecent images. These images included children as young as four years old, with a significant portion classified in the most severe category, illustrating acts of rape and extreme abuse. The depravity of the material was compounded by the discovery that McKinney had also collected photographs of children who had died, lying in coffins, adding a macabre dimension to his disturbing collection.

The police investigation revealed that McKinney was not only a collector but also an active distributor of these vile images. It was found that he had shared many of the illicit images with other paedophiles online, indicating a disturbing network of abuse and exploitation.

Despite the gravity of his crimes, McKinney was handed a nine-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time in prison unless he committed further offences within that period. Additionally, he was subjected to a 20-day rehabilitation and activity order, aimed at addressing his offending behavior.

The judge also mandated that McKinney adhere to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), restricting his access to certain online platforms and activities. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety measures to prevent any future harm.