Barry Sefton

Barry Sefton, a 61-year-old man from Wigan with no fixed address, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court for distributing indecent images of children and repeatedly breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). The case, reported by Wigan Today on 13 February 2026, highlighted Sefton's involvement in serious child sexual exploitation offences.

Sefton admitted to three counts of distributing indecent images and videos of children. On 29 January 2023, he shared 34 category A videos—the most severe classification—along with three category B videos and four category C videos. This was followed by further distributions on 5 February 2023, involving two category A videos, one category A image, one category B image, three category C images, and two category C videos. On 1 March 2023, he shared two additional category A videos, two category B images, and one category C image. These acts demonstrated a pattern of deliberate sharing of child abuse material over a short period.

• Category A material is considered the most serious, often depicting extreme abuse.
• Sefton's actions were uncovered through digital investigations, revealing the extent of his online activities.

In addition to the distribution charges, Sefton pleaded guilty to eight counts of breaching the SHPO, which had been imposed by Bolton Crown Court on 18 March 2019 to prevent further sexual offending. Between November 2022 and April 2023, he violated the order by possessing and using a computer from 2 November 2022 to 14 April 2023; engaging in internet chats concerning the sexual abuse of children from 18 December 2022 to 29 January 2023, and again from 2 February 2023 to 5 April 2023; utilising cloud or remote storage on 29 January 2023, 1 March 2023, and between 5 February and 18 March 2023; disposing of an internet-capable device on 14 April 2023; and participating in further chats about child sexual abuse from 23 February to 2 March 2023. These breaches underscored his non-compliance with restrictions designed to protect the public, particularly children.

The judge at Bolton Crown Court handed down an extended sentence comprising three years and four months in custody, followed by five years on licence. An additional eight months in prison were imposed specifically for the SHPO breaches. Sefton was also ordered to comply with sex offender notification requirements indefinitely. Greater Manchester Police, responsible for the investigation in the Wigan area, played a key role in gathering evidence that led to his convictions. The sentencing reflects the court's commitment to addressing child sexual exploitation offences robustly.