Shaleem Nazish, a 24-year-old man from Bewsey, Warrington, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for a series of serious sexual offences involving indecent images of children (IIOC). Nazish, who had a prior conviction in 2016 for making IIOC and was subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, flouted the conditions by possessing and distributing child abuse material online.
The case began on 28 March 2019 when police officers attended Nazish's home on Allen Street following received information. They found him in possession of an iPhone containing IIOC in his bedroom, where he attempted to delete data before the device was seized. Forensic examination of the phone, along with an Apple MacBook and a second iPhone, revealed a substantial collection of abusive material. Nazish was arrested and, during his police interview, admitted to viewing IIOC and disclosed a sexual interest in boys aged between eight and 12. He also revealed additional images stored in a cloud-based folder.
Released under investigation, Nazish continued his offending. Between 30 April and 1 June 2020, police received intelligence that he was participating in a group chat sharing IIOC, including discussions about child sexual abuse with an undercover operative. Officers returned to his address on 18 June 2020, leading to his second arrest. Further forensic analysis uncovered 6,471 IIOC on his devices, comprising 570 videos, all depicting boys aged from six months to 12 years. Of these, 936 were category A images—the most severe, involving penetrative sexual activity and rape of children. Additionally, 28 prohibited videos featuring boys and girls aged four to 12 were found, and Nazish had distributed 186 IIOC, including 11 category A images, during the period between his arrests.
Nazish pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order, possessing IIOC, three counts of making IIOC, possessing prohibited IIOC, and three counts of distributing IIOC. Prosecuting, Paul Blasbury outlined how Nazish violated order conditions by failing to make devices available for inspection and deleting internet history, including two social media apps.
In mitigation, defence barrister Michael Phillips described Nazish's traumatic childhood after moving from Pakistan, his academic achievements including a chemistry degree, and subsequent struggles with employment due to his 2015 charges, leading to depression. Phillips noted Nazish's engagement with probation services, completion of a course with Pure Life Ministries, and psychotherapy, expressing shame and remorse. Recorder Eric Lamb acknowledged Nazish's genuine guilt and efforts to address his addiction, stating: 'I accept that the shame and guilt you have expressed is genuine, and that you are anxious to make changes in your life to avoid further offending as a result of your addiction. It is clear from all the information I have received you have a very serious addiction and that you are taking steps to address the addiction you have.'
The sentencing took place on a Monday morning at Liverpool Crown Court, as reported by the Warrington Guardian. Nazish was made subject to a new indefinite sexual harm prevention order and required to sign the sex offenders' register. The case was investigated by Cheshire Constabulary.