New Bailey barrister Louise Santamera successfully prosecutes child pornography case

- Cheshire News 2006

On 7th November 2006 Rachel McAlley, a nursery worker, was found guilty of showing video clips of child pornography to workmates. Her three colleagues gave evidence that they found the images disgusting and distressing, while McAlley simply laughed at their reaction.

She was sacked by her employers, reported to the police and arrested. At trial, it was suggested in her defence that the witnesses had seen only the briefest of video clips on McAlley’s mobile phone. It was also suggested that the phone’s screen was so small in size, that it was difficult to determine whether or not the clip contained pornography of any sort. The video clip had been irretrievably deleted from the phone. McAlley claimed she had only viewed the clip once, she then denied that there was child pornography on the phone and denied laughing at her colleagues.

Louise Santamera, prosecuting, suggested to McAlley that she was ‘lying through her teeth’ and asked her why three prosecution witnesses would conspire to perjure themselves for no apparent reason.

McAlley was found guilty of possessing and showing indecent images of children. Sentencing was adjourned for the preparation of reports and McAlley is required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.