A paedophile, Miles Chapman, discovered in possession of child abuse photographs has avoided incarceration after exhibiting ‘genuine motivation’ to address his problems, according to court testimony.
Miles Chapman, 29, of Castle View House, East Lane, Runcorn, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, April 12, where prosecutor Brett Williamson reported that a police officer from the sex offender management team conducted a compliance visit to Chapman on December 17, 2021, and discovered that his phone contained concerning images.
The sick collection had four Category A abuse images – the worst type, 13 at Category B, and 25 Category C, in addition to 31 prohibited computer-generated images (CGI), the Liverpool Echo reports.
They featured young girls in age ranges such as eight to 10 years or aged about 10 to 12 being abused. Miles Chapman’s stash also breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed for similar offences at crown court in Manchester several years ago when he was banned from having pictures of children under the age of 16 – whether indecent or otherwise
He gave “no comment” answers when interviewed by officers from Cheshire Police on August 25.
Miles Chapman later pleaded guilty at the first opportunity at North Cheshire Magistrates’ Court in Warrington on March 14 last month to posessing indecent images, three counts of making indecent images, one of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and one of possessing prohibited CGI.
Mr Williamson said Miles Chapman’s criminal record showed a “long history of sexual interest in children” dating back to 2011, and convictions including making or possessing indecent images, failing to comply with community orders and the “notification requirements”, breaching a SHPO and detaining a child without lawful authority, for which he received a two-year community order.
In February 2022 he was sentenced to 16 months in prison with a further SHPO to last 10 years over indecent images.
Ben Stanley, defending, argued mitigation for Miles Chapman’s guilty pleas and an offender management team report that said Miles Chapman has been complying with his requirements since last leaving prison.
Mr Stanley said Miles Chapman “spends a lot of time alone” and has “quite serious mental health issues”.
He said Miles Chapman previously had “strategies for alleviating the negative feelings which are unhealthy”, but that now those “coping strategies have improved – he’s quick to distract himself with more positive activity” such as seeking support from friends.
He said the indecent image offences for which Miles Chapman fell to be sentenced on Wednesday pre-dated his client’s most recent time in prison, which he said was Miles Chapman’s “first significant taste of custody”, “gave him a real chance to reflect on his offences” and “instilled real motivation” to deal with his behaviour.
In addition, he said Miles Chapman was diagnosed with autism at 18, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 21, and suffers anxiety, having never held a job because he doesn’t like going outside.
The defence barrister said Miles Chapman had been referred for ADHD treatment and has been in touch with a group working with people with a “criminal background” and mental health issues, and would also be eligible for the Horizon sex offender programme.
Judge Simon Berkson sentenced Miles Chapman to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation, and said he’d avoided immediate custody because Chapman was “for the first time engaging with the courses being offered”.
Miles Chapman must also complete the Horizon programme, complete a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and sign on the sex offender register for 10 years.
Collection, surcharge and deprivation orders – the latter for the phone – were made.
Judge Berkson said: “All your offending I’m to deal with occurred before you got your 16-month sentence and that sentence, having been imposed, is now having some positive effect upon you.”
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