Connor Hibbert

Connor Hibbert, a 28-year-old resident of Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, England, faced Preston Crown Court on Thursday, December 11, 2024, after being charged with serious sexual offences involving indecent images of children.

Hibbert pleaded guilty to the 'making' of indecent images across all three categories of seriousness: he possessed category A images, which are considered the most severe, along with eight category B images and six category C images. Additionally, he admitted to two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images depicting a person engaging in a sexual act with an animal. This marked the second time Hibbert had appeared in court for similar offences, highlighting a pattern of behaviour despite prior judicial intervention.

In March 2024, Hibbert had been sentenced for possessing over 700 sexual images of children, receiving a 12-month custodial sentence that was suspended for two years. During that hearing, Judge Richard Archer noted that Hibbert 'acknowledged the need to work towards rehabilitating himself,' emphasising the importance of rehabilitation in his case. Despite this, Hibbert's recent actions demonstrated a failure to adhere to the conditions of his suspended sentence.

At the latest hearing, Judge Archer imposed a further sentence of 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. This decision reflects the court's ongoing efforts to balance punishment with opportunities for reform, though the severity of the offences underscores the gravity of Hibbert's repeated involvement in child sexual exploitation material. The case was reported by the Lancashire Telegraph, drawing attention to the persistent issue of online child abuse imagery in the region.