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A man has been sentenced to prison for sexual offences involving children following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Iain Miller of the Green, Whitchurch, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday 14 February.

The 58-year-old pleaded guilty at a hearing at the same court in January to the following offences:

• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of attempting to cause/incite a child in sexual activity
• Attempting to meet a child following grooming

The court heard that between 15 and 23 November 2023, Miller engaged in chats online with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The chats were sexually explicit in nature.

He then arranged to meet the girl in Andover, at which point he was met by police officers and arrested. Miller was charged with the offences on 24 November.

Detective Inspector Kay Hutchings, of SEROCU, said: This investigation shows exactly what happens when people try to groom children online, and it should serve as a warning.

If you engage in this sort of behaviour, there is a very strong chance that the person you are talking to is in fact a police officer, which will mean you are quickly arrested.

This will have a devastating impact on your family, career, friendships and reputation. You will face court hearings and are likely to serve time in prison.

I hope that Iain Millers case shows that this sort of offending will not be tolerated, and that our officers will take action to stop those who look to exploit children online.

Record details

HE WAS given a community award for his work with young people but now disgraced former youth club leader John Wiltshire is facing a prison sentence after he admitted a series of sex crimes against a young girl.

Last week, 64-year-old Wiltshire was warned he faces a substantial custodial sentence after he pleaded guilty to 10 offences, including sexual activity with a child under 16-years-old The sexual activity took place over a two-and-a-half year period. Wiltshire has also admitted making more than 6,000 indecent images of children.

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court on June 25, Wiltshire admitted five charges of sexual activity with a child, one count of taking indecent photographs of children, and four counts of making indecent images of children.

Wiltshire confessed to making more than 6,000 indecent images of children, which were found on a computer, laptop and USB memory stick.

Wiltshire was a founder member of the Whitchurch Youth Project, set up in September 2005 for young people in the town.

In 2008, he was given a community award for his work with the youth initiative and the Chill 2 This club that he ran, which is for 10 to 14-year-olds.

In the past, the club has had around 60 to 100 members attending each week.

Wiltshire, of Evingar Road, Whitchurch, was presented with his community award by the then Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Steve Robbins.

Wiltshire resigned from his position of leading the youth club on April 5 this year, and since then a new leader has been appointed.

In April, Keith Watts, Whitchurch borough councillor and chairman of the Whitchurch Youth Project, told The Gazette that parents of children at Chill 2 This had been sent a letter informing them of Wiltshires resignation and telling them the club would still function as normal under new leadership.

In court, Wiltshire also denied one charge of sexual assault and two counts of sexual activity with a child pleas that were accepted by the prosecution.

Wiltshires sentencing has been adjourned until Friday, July 13, while pre-sentence reports are prepared.

He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance.

Referring to what would happen to Wiltshire, Judge Jane Miller told the court: Clearly, it is going to be a substantial custodial sentence. The question is how long.