A 47-year-old man from Oswestry has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting two offences relating to the making of indecent images of children.
Peter Waters, who has no fixed address in Oswestry, appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court last week for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to two counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.
The offences, which were committed in Pant between 31 August and 1 September 2023, involved some of the most serious categories of indecent images recognised under UK law.
Magistrates sentenced Waters to 10 months’ imprisonment for each offence, with both sentences to run concurrently. The custodial sentence was suspended for 18 months after the court considered the circumstances of the case.
The court heard that one offence involved two Category A images, which represent the most serious level of child sexual abuse material under UK sentencing guidelines. The second offence related to three Category B images.
Magistrates concluded that the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate, even though the prison term was ultimately suspended.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Waters was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work for each offence as part of his community sentence. He must also undertake up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity designed to reduce the risk of reoffending.
The court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting seven years, placing strict restrictions on Waters’ activities and use of electronic devices.
Under the terms of the order, he is required to inform police whenever he acquires a new electronic device capable of accessing the internet. He is also prohibited from deleting his internet browsing history, allowing officers to monitor compliance with the court’s conditions.
Waters has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, requiring him to notify police of his personal details and comply with ongoing monitoring requirements throughout that period.
In addition to the criminal penalties, the court ordered him to pay £85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £186.
Offences involving indecent images of children are treated extremely seriously by the UK criminal justice system because they contribute to the abuse and exploitation of children. Law enforcement agencies continue to work closely with specialist digital investigators to identify offenders who create, possess or distribute child sexual abuse material online.
The Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed in this case is intended to reduce future risks by restricting internet use and enabling police to monitor compliance with the court’s conditions. Breaching the terms of such an order is a criminal offence and can result in further prosecution and imprisonment.
The case also highlights the increasing role of digital forensic investigations in tackling online child exploitation. Police forces across the UK continue to prioritise the identification of offenders who use electronic devices to access or create illegal child abuse material, while encouraging members of the public to report any concerns relating to child exploitation.
For Nigerians living in Oswestry, Shropshire and across the UK, cases involving child protection and serious criminal offences demonstrate the importance of safeguarding children and supporting law enforcement efforts to combat online exploitation. At Chijos News, we are committed to delivering accurate, balanced and responsible reporting on significant legal and community issues affecting people across Britain, while keeping the Nigerian diaspora informed about developments that matter in the communities where they live, work and raise their families.
