Description
A sex offender has been locked up after using Facebook to share "extreme" indecent images of children.
Richard Baker was jailed on Thursday, March 10, for 28 months after pleading guilty to seven charges. All of his offences were connected to distressing pictures of kids.
Wiltshire Police's Child Internet Exploitation Team went to Baker's address in September 29, 2020 after receiving a tip off that the 66-year-old, of no fixed address in Bratton, Westbury, had been uploading photos to the internet. He was arrested and his home was searched.
Indecent images were discovered on two mobile phones - they were classed as 'category A', meaning they were of the most serious type. Officers described them as among the "most extreme" images shared by sex offenders online.
Det Con Sadie McCoy said: This investigation began when we received information that Baker had been using his personal Facebook account to distribute indecent images of children. We then seized multiple devices to fully understand the scale of the offending and as part of our enquiries we found some of the most extreme type of indecent images of children.
"Baker admitted to not only possessing extreme pornographic images and making indecent images, but also distributing these indecent images. The Child Internet Exploitation Team at Wiltshire Police is dedicated to identifying offenders like Baker and ensuring they are brought to justice.
"Every child pictured in the images he accessed and distributed will be a victim of real abuse and needs protecting and safeguarding. We will continue to put these victims at the heart of what we do.
As well as his prison sentence, Baker was also issued with a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to pay a 181 victim surcharge. To report child sex abuse to Wiltshire Police, call 101. More information for members of the public who suspect someone of accessing indecent images is available online.