Retired TV producer found guilty of possessing indecent images of children
A retired BBC producer has been found guilty of possessing 832 indecent images of children, hundreds of which showed sexual acts involving children.
Victor Melleney, 76, was convicted on Friday (17 December, 2021) at Kingston Crown Court after the jury heard evidence from the Crown Prosecution Service over 4 days.
NCA officers had raided properties in Sheffield Terrace, Kensington, and Royal Crescent London, Holland Park, in 2018 to find the hard drives containing material shared between Melleney and other users.
They also discovered illegal stun guns belonging to Melleney, which he admitted to possessing at an earlier court hearing in February 2021.
Ruona Iguyovwe, of the CPS, said: “Victor Melleney knew he was in possession of indecent images of children. The search history of devices recovered during searches of Melleney’s home revealed downloads of images depicting sexual activity involving children. Examination of the electronic devices also revealed software which can be used by users in sharing indecent images of children.
“The hard drives, recovered from his home, his basement, and hidden in the pocket of a dressing gown he was wearing when he was arrested, contained sickening videos, part of a collection downloaded over years.
“The sexual exploitation of children and the distribution of images like this is an utterly sickening practice and one which the CPS and its partners will continue to work to root out.”
The jury acquitted Melleney of intentionally downloading the child sex abuse images but convicted him of possessing indecent images of children.
Melleney will be sentenced on 14 January 2022 for the indecent images and for possession of three stun guns and a chemical spray weapon.
Notes to editors
Victor Melleney [DOB: 19/06/1945]
He was found guilty of possessing indecent photographs of children, contrary to section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, on the 15th day of October 2018 had in his possession eight hundred and thirty two (832) indecent photographs of children
He had earlier admitted:
- possessing a prohibited weapon, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. On the 15th day of October 2018 without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in his possession a weapon, namely an air taser device, being a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious thing namely high voltage electricity.
- possessing a prohibited weapon, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. On the 15th day of October 2018, without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in his possession a weapon, namely a black baton taser device, designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious thing namely high voltage electricity.
- possessing a prohibited weapon, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. on the 15th day of October 2018 without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in his possession a weapon, namely a black apparent spray device, designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious thing namely an irritant chemical.
- possessing a prohibited weapon, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. On the 15th day of October 2018, within a vehicle namely a Porsche Cayenne without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in his possession a weapon, namely a black taser, designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, namely high voltage electricity.