May 2023

Pervert caught with indecent images of kids

A Shanklin man has admitted being in possession of 15 indecent images of children, including 5 of the most serious nature.

Paul Battman, 58, of Spring Gardens in Shanklin, Isle of Wight admitted 3x possession of indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court today (Friday).

Liz Miller, prosecuting, told the court that in April 2021, Police were made aware of images of an inappropriate nature that were uploaded to the internet back in January. It was also noted that further uploads were made in March on the social media platform Kik – where Battman had an account.

Police officers then ran checks on the IP address, email address and social media accounts, all of which came back to the 58-year-old.

Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary visited Battman’s address in Shanklin were they seized electronic devices.

On these devices a total of 15 images were found, 5x of category A (3 of which were videos), 7x category B and 3x category C.

In Police interview, Battman admitted the offences and admitted he was the only one with access to the photos.

Battman will next appear at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 20th June after Magistrates deemed their powers insufficient in terms of sentencing.

The 58-year-old was ordered to visit Newport Police Station within 3 days of this hearing to register on the Sex Offenders Register.

As he left the court, Battman was subject to verbal abuse by a member of public in the public gallery.