Huntingdon gymnastics coach jailed over thousands of indecent images of children
Aaron Strachan taught boys of a similar age to those in the images found on his phone
A children's gymnastics coach has been jailed after being found with more than 17,000 indecent images of children on his phone.
26-year-old Aaron Strachan, of Robertson Way, Sapley, Huntingdon, was arrested in August 2024 after police received information that he could have indecent material on his phone.
Officers found a total of 17,147 indecent images of children on the device, mainly of young or pre-pubescent boys, according to Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
These included 6,080 category C images, 6,028 category B images and 5,039 category A images, the most severe classification.
Also found on the phone were 56 group chats from a messaging app in which indecent images were requested and shared, including by Strachan, police said.
What happened in court
In interview, Strachan denied any knowledge of the indecent images found on his phone, police said.
He claimed he had no idea how the material may have got there, before suggesting he may have left his phone unlocked and that someone else could have accessed it at work.
Police said this was despite evidence that the images were downloaded, viewed and shared at various times of the day and night over several months.
On the day his trial was due to begin, Strachan pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of distributing an indecent image or video.
He was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 16th October, where he was jailed for three years and four months.
Strachan was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years, to monitor any future offending, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Detective's comments
Detective Constable Matthew Walshe, who investigated the case, said: "Strachan was found with many indecent images of pre-pubescent boys, while working as a gymnastics coach teaching boys of a similar age."
He said: "While none of the children in the indecent images on Strachan's phone have been found to be children he knew or worked with, every one of those 17,147 images represents a child who was sexually abused or exploited."
DC Walshe added: "Despite the weight of evidence and knowledge of his guilt, he pleaded not guilty to delay justice as long as possible before changing his plea at the beginning of the trial. He is now facing the consequences of his actions, which includes never working with children again."
Support and advice
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said more information and advice about child abuse is available on the force's dedicated web page.
Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to a child, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah's Law.
The force said anyone who looks out for the welfare of a child can make an enquiry, including parents, carers, guardians, extended family, friends and neighbours.