A woman from Ashton Keynes has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting to making hundreds of indecent images of children, following an investigation led by Wiltshire Police’s Child Internet Exploitation Team.
Samantha Franklin, 34, of Cove House Gardens, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on 8 December, where she was handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She had previously pleaded guilty to creating several hundred illegal images found on her mobile phone.
Franklin was arrested on 12 September 2024 when officers attended her home as part of a targeted investigation. More than 500 images were later uncovered, including over 200 categorised as Class A – the most serious classification under UK law.
Detective Constable Jason Walsh, who oversaw the case, said the findings were deeply concerning.
“Making indecent images of children is a serious offence,” he said. “Our team is committed to identifying those involved in this behaviour. Each image represents a real child who has been harmed, and we work closely with partner agencies to support efforts to identify the victims.”
The court also imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and Franklin’s phone has been ordered for forfeiture and destruction. She must additionally pay a £186 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
