Current timestamp: 04/02/2023 22:41:00
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

HIOW-Force-logo-2-white ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Aldershot man jailed for ten years for possessing and distributing indecent photos

Main article content

Navigation

News

17:09 05/06/2020

UTTING, James.PNG

A 36 year old man who pleaded guilty to 43 offences of possessing and distributing indecent images of young boys from all around the UK, was jailed for ten years when he appeared for sentence before Winchester Crown Court today, (Friday, June 5).

James Utting of St Michael's Road, Aldershot, admitted 43 offences relating to dates between June 7, 2016 and July 24, 2018.

He further admitted 116 offences to be taken into consideration.

As well as a ten year jail sentence, Utting will also have to go on an extended licence for five years on release.

The court heard that Utting posed as a 15 year old girl to induce the boys to send him images and video footage over social media.

On some occasions, he asked the victims to send more. If they refused, he threatened to share the images with their friends and family. In some cases, he carried out these threats, despite tearful pleas from the victims.

The victims were all boys aged between eight and 16 from locations around the UK including Humberside, Grimsby, Sussex, Leeds, Bradford, Southampton, Wakefield, Barnsley and Sheffield.

The charges relate to 11 victims but police found images of 401 boys, many of them still unidentified.

Victim impact statements from some of the victims and their families were read to the court demonstrating the ‘appalling’ consequences.

The threats to share the images and the public sharing of them in some cases, devastated some victims’ self esteem and caused panic, anxiety, depression, threats and humiliation. In one case, a victim threatened to end his own life as a result.

Sentencing Utting, Her Honour Judge Jane Miller QC said: “It’s right to say the impact statements showed the very real damage your actions caused the victims in this case.

“Actions that could affect their whole lives. It is only hoped the boys will be able to pick themselves up and move forwards after this. I hope they understand that it wasn’t their fault.

“The damage done was considerable. No court can risk that happening again. The public needs protection from you.”

Judge Miller also commended the Hampshire Constabulary officers involved in the complex and long running investigation.

The offences were:

* Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

* Causing a child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity

* Distributing an indecent image of a child

* Possessing an indecent image of a child

* Engaging in sexual communication with a child

Following the sentencing, Acting Detective Sergeant Wendy Harrison said: “Utting’s offences were so prolific and caused so much trauma and distress to so many young people right across the country. He targeted and exploited young and vulnerable boys by hiding his true identity behind a fake and digital persona.

“I just hope this sentence can now allow those young people and their families to move ahead with their lives.

“We cannot praise the victims enough for their courage and determination in coming forward and reporting what happened. Because of them, this person is now in custody for a significant period of time.

“I also hope this sentence will alert others to the dangers of the digital world and also encourage others who have suffered this type of abuse, no matter when it happened, to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Press
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.