Brandon Lee Forrest, aged 29, of Highfield Close, Sway, Lymington, Hampshire, has walked free from Southampton Crown Court with a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to distributing and making Category A child sexual abuse material on Telegram.
The prosecution detailed that the offences took place between 21 July 2023 and 27 November 2024, with several incidents occurring in the New Milton area.
Prosecutor Adam Cooper told the court that Forrest used the encrypted messaging platform Telegram to exchange child abuse media with other users on two separate dates.
Among the Category A files recovered—representing the most severe legal category, which includes child rape and torture—was footage depicting a young girl in obvious distress and experiencing tremendous physical pain.
A forensic analysis of Forrest’s seized iPhone uncovered internet search records showing that he had specifically looked up court sentencing guidelines and potential prison sentences for sexual offences, demonstrating that he was fully conscious of the criminal nature of his activities.
The court was also informed that Forrest had a prior criminal conviction recorded in 2025 for harassing a former partner.
Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, Forrest entered guilty pleas to a series of offences:
- Distributing Category A, Category B, and Category C indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children
- Making 27 Category A images
- Making 30 Category B images
- Making 21 Category C images
- Possessing two extreme pornographic images involving an animal
During the hearing, Recorder Jodie Mittell KC challenged Forrest over communications recovered from his device, stating: “There is no hiding from it; you tell the other person that you don’t like children that are too young. I hope you are starting to appreciate that it is the children who are the victims in this case and not you.”
Despite the gravity of the offences and the active distribution of Category A files, the court determined that the sentence could be suspended.
Recorder Mittell KC imposed a 32-month custodial sentence, suspended for an operational period of three years.
Forrest was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of his iPhone, imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and placed Forrest on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period (for life).
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