A funeral director from Merseyside has avoided an immediate prison sentence despite being caught in possession of hundreds of indecent images of children and extreme pornography depicting necrophilia.
Disturbing Digital Collection Uncovered
Gary Williams, 45, of Warbreck Road in Newton-le-Willows, was the subject of a police investigation after intelligence was received about the sharing of illegal images on social media. Officers from Merseyside Police attended his home on 18 September 2024 and seized his electronic devices.
Examination of his iPhone revealed a vast and horrific collection. Prosecuting barrister Derek Jones told Liverpool Crown Court that the device contained a total of 542 indecent images of children. This stash included 130 category A images and 193 category A videos, representing the most severe forms of abuse, with some footage showing babies being restrained and raped.
The haul also included 114 category B images, 75 category C images, and three prohibited cartoon images depicting child abuse. Beyond the child abuse material, Williams had amassed 352 images of bestiality and two images showing sexual interference with a corpse.
Online Chats and 'Taboo' Interests
Investigators discovered that Williams had used Skype and Telegram to discuss and share such material. In one damning exchange, he asked another user for "any taboo videos?". When asked what age he liked, Williams replied "five plus". The other user responded with "zero plus", to which Williams typed "mmmmm".
During police interviews, he admitted using chatrooms and potentially downloading images there but attempted to downplay his actions, claiming "it wasn't what he was after".
Suspended Sentence and Rehabilitation Focus
Williams pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession and making of indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornographic images, and possession of prohibited images of children.
Defending, Olivia Beesley said her client, a man of previous good character, accepted responsibility and was "disgusted with himself". She cited the tragic loss of both his parents within four months in 2007, his loneliness, and his stable job at a funeral directors as context. She argued he had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, described the category A images as "particularly disturbing indeed". He noted Williams had eventually recognised his problem and expressed remorse.
While stating the custody threshold was "plainly crossed", the judge suspended the 12-month prison term for 18 months, citing Williams' clean record, timely plea, and the probation service's assessment that he posed a low future risk if he engaged with rehabilitation.
The sentence includes:
- A 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
- Completion of a building choices programme.
- A rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days.
- 200 hours of unpaid work.
- A three-month electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 6am.
- Registration as a sex offender for 10 years.
- A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge Menary concluded that the community requirements were tough but designed to prevent future offences and punish his behaviour, offering a path to change that an immediate prison sentence might not.
