In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Christopher John Oldland (also known as Christopher John Dudley Oldland), then 54, formerly of Greenloons Drive, Formby, and later of Stanley Road, Bootle, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court. The former Scout leader and community centre manager was spared an immediate prison sentence despite being caught with nearly 600 sickening images of child abuse.
The court heard that Christopher John Oldland held multiple positions of significant trust within the community. He volunteered as a “Scoutmaster” at the 8th Formby Scout Group, based at St Luke’s Church, and served as the manager and company secretary of the Seaforth Information Network Group (SING). The SING Plus Centre in Seaforth, which he managed, provided services including an Ofsted-registered nursery, holiday play schemes, and youth activities. In July 2018, police acting on intelligence arrested Oldland at the SING Plus Centre, seizing mobile phones, a computer tower, and a USB device containing a “twisted collection” of 570 indecent images.
Forensic analysis revealed that 104 of the images were Category A—the most serious classification—depicting the rape and molestation of children as young as three and four years old. While Oldland initially claimed the images were the result of unwanted “pop-ups,” prosecutors successfully rubbished this assertion, with forensic evidence indicating he had intentionally sought out or received the material via external devices. Judge Alan Conrad QC described the suffering of the victims in the images as “deeply distressing”. He noted the significant public concern regarding a man in Oldland’s position being involved in such depravity.
Despite the severity of the offences, Judge Conrad decided it was “more constructive” for Oldland to receive professional help rather than immediate incarceration. He handed down a 42-week prison sentence, suspended for a period of two years. Oldland was also ordered to complete a 60-day rehabilitation activity requirement and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which includes a permanent ban on working with children.
Christopher John Oldland was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. Following his arrest, he resigned from his various community and directorship roles. He remains a prohibited person under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
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