Swindon Man Caught as Dark Web Child Abuse Site Moderator
Brett Saunders, 50, of Swindon, has pleaded guilty to running a vile dark web site dedicated to sharing child sexual abuse content. The National Crime Agency (NCA) uncovered the secret site, which hid behind Tor’s anonymity and boasted over 2,000 members.
‘Wetty’ Exposed as Site’s Ruthless Enforcer
The NCA zeroed in on a moderator known only as ‘Wetty.’ Saunders was ‘Wetty’ — the site’s rule enforcer who answered user queries and shared tips on dodging the cops.
He had a grisly history too, with previous convictions for child sexual exploitation. Officers swooped on his Freshbrook home in August 2022, seizing his laptop (hidden under a sofa cushion), phone, and a hard drive stashed in an air vent.
Shocking Confessions and Horrific Evidence
Saunders was caught logged into the site at arrest. He admitted to uploading indecent images of children, particularly girls aged 8-12, and confessed a sexual interest in them.
The probe uncovered:
- More than 3,000 posts by Saunders
- Private messages showing his key role keeping the site alive
- A sinister points system used to reward sharing abuse material
- His control over granting access to new users
He uploaded 115 images and videos of child abuse, including two disturbing pictures of a young girl, linked to twisted discussions about legalising pre-teen marriage.
NCA Vows to Hunt Down Online Monsters
Saunders now faces nine additional charges, including arranging the sexual exploitation of a child under 13. He is due to appear at Swindon Crown Court.
“Saunders directly facilitated the sexual abuse of children,” said Adam Priestley, NCA Branch Commander. “We are committed to bringing down these dark web sites that normalise such horrors. The NCA has the tools to track and catch the worst offenders hiding online.”
