Former BBC Producer Found Guilty of Possessing Indecent Images of Children

Victor Melleney, 76, a former producer for BBC programs like "Panorama" and "Question Time," has been convicted of possessing over 800 indecent images of children. Melleney pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing, admitting to possessing the images and also owning stun guns and pepper spray.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation began in October 2018 when officers arrested Melleney at his Kensington flat. A search of the flat and his Porsche revealed three tasers and a pepper spray, which are considered prohibited weapons in the UK. Officers also seized Melleney's laptop, iPad, and an external hard drive, which he initially attempted to conceal.

Analysis of Melleney's devices uncovered over 800 images and videos of child sexual abuse. He had downloaded four peer-to-peer file sharing applications to access the material and used keywords like "PTHC" (Pre Teen Hard Core), "Preteen," and "11 yo" in his searches.

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

Melleney was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court on January 14, 2022, and will be sentenced for both the possession of indecent images and the prohibited weapons offenses.

Martin Ludlow, Operations Manager at the NCA, stated: "Melleney had a significant collection of child abuse material, which he had sought out from with other like-minded individuals using 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. Protecting children and targeting those who pose a sexual threat to them remains our top priority."