Locations
Evingar Road, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28
Description
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.