Guildford Man Sentenced for Making and Distributing Child Abuse Images

Published on: 8 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 12 Jun, 2019

A Guildford resident, Alan Witthoft, pleaded guilty on Friday (June 7) to making and distributing more than 35,000 child abuse images since 2013.

At Guildford Crown Court, Witthoft, 49, was given a 14-month suspended sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work, 30 sessions of rehab, a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and ordered to pay £1,340 costs and victim surcharge.

He was given credit for his early guilty plea, previous good character and engaging with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to change his behaviour. Witthoft was arrested after his home was raided in October 2018.

A detailed forensic examination of his computer and mobile phone revealed the volume of child abuse images, as well as search terms for child abuse material.

Witthoft was charged with making and distributing child abuse images, including:

• Category A – 4,944 including 576 movies;
• Category B – 5,472 including 279 movies;
• Category C – 24,570 including 212 movies;
• Prohibited – 25 including one movie;
• Extreme – 86 images.
• Total – 35,097 (34,028 images and 1,069 movies).

Witthoft had also made more than 40 unique searches related to child abuse. To clarify the charges: “making” relates to downloading material, and “taking” means the suspect has physically taken the photo with a camera.

Investigating officer Dave Evans, of Surrey Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “Witthoft had collected a huge number of child abuse images, including stills and videos, since 2013, which he was involved in distributing. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and he had no other option but to plead guilty.

“The POLIT team works hard to identify any individual involved in viewing, possessing or distributing child abuse material and ensure they are brought to justice. Protecting children is the team’s number one priority and we work closely with other agencies to help protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“If you suspect anyone of viewing or distributing child abuse images, please report it to us a matter of urgency. We would also urge you to come forward if you believe a child is being sexually or physically abused and we assure you that all allegations will be fully investigated.”

To report suspected child abuse, click on https://www.surrey.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/how-to-report-possible-child-abuse/

If you are concerned about your own online behaviour, contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation at https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/ or call the confidential Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900.

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