Countdown Star Busted Over Sick Child Abuse Plot
Craig Chittenden, 33, from Willington, County Durham, has been slammed with a 12-year jail term for plotting to sexually abuse a 10-year-old girl in southern England. The former Countdown whizz was caught after communicating with an undercover officer posing as the girl’s father, Durham Crown Court heard.
Disturbing Fantasies and Horrific Images
Prosecutor Jane Waugh revealed Chittenden shared 24 indecent images during chats with another paedophile back in February 2020. Their sick conversation even touched on kidnap, murder, and how to dispose of a body. He wrote:
“If I kidnap, we can’t risk DNA or talking and killing will have to be done.”
“I would like the child to be three or four years old.”
“We will probably only keep her for a day max, a few rapes then end it. Smothering maybe.”
When confronted by police, Chittenden called his vile plans ‘fantasy and escapism’. He claimed no sexual interest in children but admitted arousal from the images. Officers later found nearly 1,000 indecent photos and over four hours of horrific videos including children as young as two being abused. They also uncovered extreme animal porn involving horses, dogs, and cats.
Chilling Online Chats with US Woman
The court heard Chittenden took part in live video calls with a woman in America who sexually abused her own daughter while he watched. The woman has since been jailed. Despite his sick behaviour, Chittenden once enjoyed fame as a Countdown contestant at just 22. He was seen as a role model by college peers who tracked his progress on the letters and numbers show.
Judge Brands Ex-TV Star a ‘Dangerous Offender’
The convicted paedo pleaded guilty to multiple offences including arranging child sexual abuse, inciting exploitation of a girl under 13, and possessing extreme pornography. Judge Ray Singh told him:
“You showed a clear interest in sadistic torture, extreme violence and sexual offences towards children. You remained emotionless and detached.”
“You pose a significant risk of sexual, physical and emotional harm to children. In my view, you are a dangerous offender.”
Chittenden must serve at least eight years before a parole hearing can consider his release. His former life as a fine dining restaurant worker and TV show contender is now a distant memory forever stained by his depravity.
