Man who made 'abhorrent' images of children jailed
Indecent images of children were found on Michael Ashburn's phone
- Published
A man who went to "great lengths" to create and share "abhorrent" sexual images of children has been jailed for three and a half years.
Michael Ashburn, 31, from Birmingham, was staying in Salisbury when the offences took place in February and March 2022 and indecent images were found on his phone.
Wiltshire Police Det Con Julia Vince said: "Every child that appeared in those images is a victim of sexual violence and the trauma caused cannot be underestimated."
Ashburn, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was sentenced on Tuesday at Birmingham Crown Court for making and producing indecent images of children.
He was also sentenced for engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
'Devious and manipulative'
Ms Vince, who works on the child internet exploitation team, said he was a "devious and manipulative individual who hid his activities from those closest to him".
"Ashburn went to great lengths to seek out, create and share the most abhorrent images of children," she added.
“Ashburn is now behind bars where he can cause no further harm."
Ashburn, of Wellington Road, in Lozells and East Handsworth, was handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order and was put on the sex offenders register for life.
He was also imprisoned for one week for assaulting an emergency worker after he spat in an officer's face during his arrest on 16 November 2022.
'Report abuse'
Following the sentencing, the force urged anyone who is a victim of child abuse, or worried for the safety or well-being of a child to get in touch with them.
It said anyone can formally ask the police whether someone who has contact with a child or children, has a record for child sexual offences or poses a risk.
“The Wiltshire Police Child Internet Exploitation Team are dedicated to identify and bring to justice those who seek to harm children through their online activities for their own sexual gratification," Ms Vince added.