'Dangerous' Alton man jailed for string of child sex offences
The investigating officer said it was the worst case he has ever come across
A 39-year-old man from Alton has been sentenced to eight years in prison for 23 child sex offences, including possession of indecent images and attempted sexual communications with a child.
Gavin Chivers, of Russett Road, was investigated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Team, leading to his arrest on 31st March.
Chivers was interviewed and offered the explanation that he had accessed the images with the intention of trying to earn the trust of offenders online in order to identify and report them.
However, there was no evidence supporting this explanation, and he was charged with multiple offences.
Upon examination of his mobile phone, a large number of indecent images and videos, along with chats discussing child abuse, were discovered.
Chivers pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including 14 counts of distributing indecent photographs of a child and two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child.
On 23rd June, he appeared at Winchester Crown Court, where he received an eight-year prison sentence.
Additionally, he has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for life.
PC Ollie Green of the Internet Child Abuse Team said, “Having been in the department for nearly five years, this is by far the worst case I have come across.
“It is not often where I can say that the written words in the conversations were as disturbing and appalling as the images themselves.
“Chivers is without a doubt one of the most dangerous individuals I have investigated, and I am very pleased with the judge’s decision that he will receive a lengthy custodial sentence.”