Former BBC Panorama and Question Time producer who searched for ‘preteen’ sexual abuse online sentenced

A former BBC producer convicted of possessing indecent images of children has received a 22-month suspended sentence. 

Victor Melleney, 76, who previously worked on programmes such as Panorama and Question time, also pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to four counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.

He was arrested by National Crime Agency officers at his Kensington flat in October 2018. The weapons – three tasers and a pepper spray – were recovered following a search of the flat and his Porsche.

Officers also seized Melleney’s laptop and iPad from this address. An external hard drive, which he initially attempted to hide in his pocket, was recovered from the bathroom of the flat.

Evidence

His devices contained over 800 images and videos of child sexual abuse (categories A-C) and he had downloaded four different Peer 2 Peer file sharing applications onto them.

Analysis showed that the keywords he used to search for the material included “PTHC” (Pre Teen Hard Core), “Preteen” and “11 yo”.

In March 2019, NCA officers executed a warrant at another of Melleney’s properties in West Wittering, Chichester, as intelligence showed that he had also accessed child abuse material from the address in the month prior to his arrest.

Melleney was found guilty of possessing indecent images of children at Kingston Crown Court on 17 December 2021. He was sentenced for this, and the prohibited weapons offences, at the same court today (14 January).

Martin Ludlow, Operations Manager at the National Crime Agency, said: “Melleney had a significant collection of child abuse material, which he obtained from the internet.

“It’s really important not to forget that behind every sexual abuse image is a child whose life has been cruelly torn apart by an abuser, with men like Melleney fuelling the demand for such material.”

Martin Ludlow, Operations Manager at the National Crime Agency

Senior Specialist Prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe, of the CPS, added: “Victor Melleney knew that he was in possession of indecent images of children. The 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 abhorrent practice and one which the CPS and its partners will continue to work to root out,” Iguyovwe concluded.