Chelmsford polygraph used in child sex abuse case
A Chelmsford polygraph test would have been of use to police in a recent sex offender case.
The case
A man who has images depicting “evil and wicked” acts of child abuse has been warned there will be “no second chances” after he was spared an immediate prison sentence.
Alan Welsh, 69, told the police he did not receive any gratification from the sick images found on a computer seized from his home address in February 2020.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard police uncovered 132 indecent images of children at the most serious Category A. There were 71 Category B images and 119 images at Category C.
The claims
The court was told the children depicted in the images were predominantly female and aged between six and ten. In police interview, Welsh admitted to possessing the images. He claims they were sent to him via online chat rooms.
However, he denied getting sexual gratification from the images. He continued to maintain this account in an interview with the probation service.
The judgement
Jerry Hayes, said his client, a retired taxi driver, had since expressed “extreme remorse”.
He said: “He is willing to cooperate with the probation services and the various courses they suggest.
“He’s pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.”
Welsh admitted three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
The evidence
Judge Christopher Morgan said: “It is quite plain from the material that you were deliberately searching at some point for indecent images of children.
“Denial often indicates firstly that an individual is trying to cover up their criminality. Secondly, a clear indication that a risk of future offending does exist”.
The outcome
In conclusion, Welsh will now spend 12 months in prison. He is taking a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and an accredited course for sex offenders.
He will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and police notification requirements for ten years.
Regular polygraph testing
It is now part of release terms in sex offenders and child abuse cases to take regular polygraph tests. Police believe it stops the offenders from re-offending. Therefore, they are pushing to have investment into more equipment. As a result of the requested investment, police hope to use polygraph testing during interrogations.
If you suspect someone is a victim of child abuse then book a test online with us today. You can also contact us on our free helpline to discuss any concerns you have or to book directly with us.
