Benjamin Kerrison

Benjamin Kerrison, a 37-year-old resident of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court for possessing and making indecent images of young children. The court heard that police officers attended his home on Penny’s Crescent in February following information received, leading to the discovery of nine category A images—the most severe classification—along with category B and C images on his phone. These images depicted children aged between five and seven years old.

Upon arrest, Kerrison admitted he was 'in a bad place' but provided no further comment during his initial interview. Further analysis of his device revealed conversations on Snapchat with six children, whose identities remain unknown to police. In October, he was rearrested for breaching bail conditions and has been on remand since. During a subsequent interview, he denied unsupervised contact with children, claiming any images were of his 22-year-old partner, but declined to comment when informed of the child images.

Kerrison had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, with the offences occurring between June 2023 and January 2025. Defending barrister Eve Shelley argued that Kerrison had been open with the probation service about his behaviour, attributing it to a deterioration in his mental health, past trauma, and increased alcohol consumption. She noted the images were low in number and suggested community management could reduce reoffending risks.

Judge Nigel Peters KC emphasised the seriousness of the offences, stating: 'These are always serious offences – the courts have to protect children. A prison sentence is absolutely justified, but it may not help to rehabilitate you.' Considering Kerrison's previous good character, the judge suspended the sentence. Kerrison was handed a 14-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, along with a six-month alcohol treatment programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, barring him from owning internet-enabled devices without notifying police.

The case was reported by the New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times, highlighting ongoing efforts to safeguard children from sexual exploitation in the community.