JOHN MINCHER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO INDECENT IMAGE CHARGE

John Mincher, a former contestant on The Great British Bake Off, pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton magistrates’ court to a charge of making two indecent images of a child. The court heard that investigators classified both images as Category A, the most serious category of child sexual abuse material. Police allegedly found the images on Mincher’s devices and arrested him in August. Mincher had faced a second charge of the same kind before its withdrawal at the hearing. Deputy District Judge Kate Harney told him he faced “incredibly serious offences”.

Mincher appeared on the 2024 series of the Channel 4 baking programme and worked for the NHS. Paul Hollywood named him Star Baker in the first episode and gave him a Hollywood handshake. Mincher left in the third episode, during bread week. He said afterwards: “It’s just how it is. Because everyone is so talented, you drop the ball and then it is your time to go.” He later appeared at events including Foodies Festival in Nottingham in June 2025.

Mincher, who lives in Wolverhampton, chose to stand trial before a jury. The magistrates’ court released him on conditional bail. He is due to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 16 November. After his appearance on the programme, Mincher said it had given him confidence to pursue his goals. He also said shoppers had recognised him at a Morrisons store near his home.