At Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, Darren Andrew Halliwell, aged 53, from Blackwater Drive, Totton, appeared after admitting to possession of indecent images of children. This marked his second conviction for similar offences, following a three-year community order imposed in 2011 for possessing over 5,000 child abuse images.
The current charges related to images discovered on his iPhone 8 between January 8, 2022, and July 13, 2022. Prosecuting, Harriet Bennett informed the court that the collection included six Category A images, 22 Category B images, and 28 Category C images, depicting children aged between three and 12 years old. During police interview, Halliwell admitted to a sexual attraction to children.
In mitigation, Adrian Fleming addressed the court, noting the reoffending occurred 15 or 16 years after the previous offences. He explained triggering events in Halliwell's life, including his former partner's involvement with drugs and hosting sexual parties, which the defendant found difficult. The court heard that Halliwell received the images unsolicited via online chat but retained them on his phone for approximately 36 hours without deleting them immediately. Prior to his arrest, Halliwell had sought professional rehabilitation and treatment to address his urges, and it was revealed he had been abused as a child himself.
Judge Recorder Don Tait remarked on the 2011 conviction, stating, 'Back in July 2011, some time ago now, I acknowledge, you were before the court for similar offences. You didn't learn your lesson from that appearance before the court back in 2011, and here we are again.' He acknowledged Halliwell's proactive seeking of assistance before arrest but warned, 'You must realise, if you don't realise already, that you won't be able to argue this again.'
Halliwell was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was required to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £150 in court costs and a victim surcharge.