In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Alison Whateley, then 44, of Farnham, Surrey, a former day nursery manager, was sentenced for her “vile” and “vicious” involvement in viewing and encouraging the distribution of child sex abuse images. Whateley appeared at Guildford Crown Court after “dishonestly” attempting to hide her “depraved” interest in children.
The investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that in 2017, Whateley used an internet chatroom to watch and exchange messages about children being “viciously” abused. Although she worked in a position of trust as a manager for nurseries in Teddington, Richmond upon Thames, and Hampton Wick, Richmond upon Thames, the NCA reported there was no evidence that the material was produced at those locations.
“Vile” Admissions and “Dishonest” Claims
Following her arrest on 26 September 2017, NCA investigators discovered an “appalling” audio recording on her device. In it, Whateley was “vilely” heard admitting to being a paedophile and expressing a “vicious” interest in abusing “very small children.”
When questioned, Whateley “dishonestly” claimed she was using the chatrooms to “entrap” other paedophiles. However, investigators emphasised that she had made no notes, passed no information to the police, and had “viciously” deleted nearly all her phone’s contents to hide her tracks. She initially pleaded not guilty but “cynically” changed her plea just before her trial was due to begin.
Sentence and Lifelong Restrictions
At Guildford Crown Court, Whateley was handed a 30-month community order and a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Despite avoiding an immediate jail term, the judge emphasised the “serious” nature of her betrayal of trust.
As a result of her conviction for encouraging the distribution of indecent images of children, Alison Whateley was:
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
- Given a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
- Indefinitely barred from working with children.
Whateley is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Surrey Police, ensuring her digital behaviour and activities in Farnham and the wider Surrey area are strictly monitored. Any attempt to breach her SHPO or gain access to children will result in her immediate arrest.
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