WILLIAM WYLLIE: CUMBRIA FIRE CHIEF FROM BARROW AND PENRITH SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Barrow Penrith Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Barrow and Penrith, William Wyllie, a former fire service manager, has been found guilty of serious child exploitation crimes involving the distribution of indecent images and explicit online conversations with a convicted sex offender. The revelations emerged during a court hearing at Preston Crown Court, where Wyllie, aged 49 and residing on Rating Lane in Barrow, faced multiple charges related to his online activities and conduct.
Wyllie’s criminal behavior was uncovered after police investigations linked him to a series of disturbing online exchanges. The investigation was initiated when authorities arrested Steven King, a notorious paedophile, as part of a broader Metropolitan Police operation. During the investigation, law enforcement officials examined King’s web communications, which ultimately led to Wyllie’s involvement. It was revealed that Wyllie, who was employed as a locality manager overseeing the South Cumbria area within the fire service, had engaged in the distribution of indecent images of children over a span of four days in July 2011.
During the trial, Wyllie pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing indecent images of children and one count of publishing an obscene article. His defense attorney, Mr. Stephen McNally, expressed deep regret over the situation, emphasizing the damage to Wyllie’s reputation, his career, and his standing within the community. McNally highlighted that Wyllie, who had dedicated much of his life to public service and life-saving efforts, had lost his good character and employment as a result of his actions. The lawyer also pointed out the profound impact on Wyllie’s family and personal life, describing the case as a tragic fall from grace for a man approaching his fiftieth year.
Judge Jacqueline Beech, presiding over the case, sentenced Wyllie to a three-year community order. This order includes three years of supervision and participation in a sex offender’s treatment program. Additionally, Wyllie will be registered as a sex offender for five years and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration. The judge underscored the seriousness of Wyllie’s conduct, stating, “The fact you received indecent images and then distributed them and engaged in sexually explicit and obscene conversations about the abuse of a little boy indicates you knew exactly what you were doing.”
The pre-sentence report described Wyllie’s behavior as “manipulative, predatory, and reckless,” further emphasizing the gravity of his actions. Following the court proceedings, Cumbria County Council Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that Wyllie had resigned from his position, marking the end of his career in the fire service.
Earlier in April 2013, further details emerged about Wyllie’s online activities. It was reported that the fire chief had led a double life, exchanging vile images of children and engaging in cruising on gay dating websites. His online identity was linked to an ex-colleague’s name and a combination of his fire service number and watch color, which ultimately facilitated his identification by police. The investigation revealed that Wyllie had initially denied nine charges related to the distribution and encouragement of indecent images but later changed his plea to guilty after overwhelming evidence was presented.
Police investigations traced the accounts used to send child pornography back to Wyllie’s home in Barrow. The accounts, registered under the names Carlton Hall and CarltonHall112, used the alias Stuart Murdoch, a former colleague of Wyllie’s who was not implicated in the case. Forensic IT experts also linked Wyllie’s home IP addresses to the accounts, and it was discovered that he used the password ‘Hfsc07red’ on both a laptop and gay dating websites. The password’s components referenced his former fire station in Greenock, where he served in Red Watch.
Wyllie’s home was raided in October 2011, following investigations into Steven King, who was jailed for four years in 2011 for attempting to engage in sexual acts with children as young as five. The evidence against Wyllie included messages and files exchanged with King, which contained disturbing child pornography. The court was told that accounts used to send these images were traced directly to Wyllie’s residence, and the evidence was deemed overwhelming. Wyllie’s guilty plea was considered late, but the judge acknowledged that some credit might be given for this decision. His sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2013, where he will face the consequences of his actions in a court of law.
Wyllie’s criminal behavior was uncovered after police investigations linked him to a series of disturbing online exchanges. The investigation was initiated when authorities arrested Steven King, a notorious paedophile, as part of a broader Metropolitan Police operation. During the investigation, law enforcement officials examined King’s web communications, which ultimately led to Wyllie’s involvement. It was revealed that Wyllie, who was employed as a locality manager overseeing the South Cumbria area within the fire service, had engaged in the distribution of indecent images of children over a span of four days in July 2011.
During the trial, Wyllie pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing indecent images of children and one count of publishing an obscene article. His defense attorney, Mr. Stephen McNally, expressed deep regret over the situation, emphasizing the damage to Wyllie’s reputation, his career, and his standing within the community. McNally highlighted that Wyllie, who had dedicated much of his life to public service and life-saving efforts, had lost his good character and employment as a result of his actions. The lawyer also pointed out the profound impact on Wyllie’s family and personal life, describing the case as a tragic fall from grace for a man approaching his fiftieth year.
Judge Jacqueline Beech, presiding over the case, sentenced Wyllie to a three-year community order. This order includes three years of supervision and participation in a sex offender’s treatment program. Additionally, Wyllie will be registered as a sex offender for five years and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration. The judge underscored the seriousness of Wyllie’s conduct, stating, “The fact you received indecent images and then distributed them and engaged in sexually explicit and obscene conversations about the abuse of a little boy indicates you knew exactly what you were doing.”
The pre-sentence report described Wyllie’s behavior as “manipulative, predatory, and reckless,” further emphasizing the gravity of his actions. Following the court proceedings, Cumbria County Council Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that Wyllie had resigned from his position, marking the end of his career in the fire service.
Earlier in April 2013, further details emerged about Wyllie’s online activities. It was reported that the fire chief had led a double life, exchanging vile images of children and engaging in cruising on gay dating websites. His online identity was linked to an ex-colleague’s name and a combination of his fire service number and watch color, which ultimately facilitated his identification by police. The investigation revealed that Wyllie had initially denied nine charges related to the distribution and encouragement of indecent images but later changed his plea to guilty after overwhelming evidence was presented.
Police investigations traced the accounts used to send child pornography back to Wyllie’s home in Barrow. The accounts, registered under the names Carlton Hall and CarltonHall112, used the alias Stuart Murdoch, a former colleague of Wyllie’s who was not implicated in the case. Forensic IT experts also linked Wyllie’s home IP addresses to the accounts, and it was discovered that he used the password ‘Hfsc07red’ on both a laptop and gay dating websites. The password’s components referenced his former fire station in Greenock, where he served in Red Watch.
Wyllie’s home was raided in October 2011, following investigations into Steven King, who was jailed for four years in 2011 for attempting to engage in sexual acts with children as young as five. The evidence against Wyllie included messages and files exchanged with King, which contained disturbing child pornography. The court was told that accounts used to send these images were traced directly to Wyllie’s residence, and the evidence was deemed overwhelming. Wyllie’s guilty plea was considered late, but the judge acknowledged that some credit might be given for this decision. His sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2013, where he will face the consequences of his actions in a court of law.