Tuesday 13 May 2008
Couple convicted after abusing baby and sharing images on the internet
A Northamptonshire couple who abused a four month old baby girl and shared footage of the abuse on the internet were jailed on Friday 9th May 2008 following a joint operation between the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, Northamptonshire Police and the FBI.
Kate Scott and Christopher Oxtoby, of Ashbrow Road in Briar Hill, Northampton, were arrested after intelligence and child abuse images were received from the US by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. CEOP officers then worked to identify and locate the two UK perpetrators and worked alongside Northamptonshire Police and local social service to secure their arrest.
The FBI had previously arrested an American paedophile who had film of the baby being abused on his computer.
Pearl Willis, prosecuting, said Scott abused the child while Oxtoby filmed the abuse.
Oxtoby and Scott both pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child. Oxtoby also admitted taking indecent photographs of a child, five offences of making indecent photographs of children and one of possessing indecent photographs of children. Oxtoby also pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a girl aged under 11, between 1994 and 1996.
Judge Thomas Corrie jailed Scott for four-and-a-half years. Oxtoby was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection and will only be considered for parole in three-and-a-half years' time.
Jim Warnock, Head of Operations at CEOP:
"The sentences reflect the seriousness of these offences and should send a clear message to others who think they can abuse children without consequence. Police are increasingly working across international borders to identify and safeguard children from horrendous abuse and will continue to bring offenders to account wherever they are".
A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said:
"The crimes committed by Katie Scott and Christopher Oxtoby are some of the worst kind that can be committed against children and are totally abhorrent."