Specialist online child abuse investigators put Shildon paedophile behind bars

A man has been jailed for possessing indecent images of children following an investigation led by specialist online child abuse investigators.

In September last year, Durham Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) were alerted to suspicious online activity taking place at a property in Spennymoor.

Officers attended and seized electronic devices belonging to the occupant, 21-year-old Joseph Thompson.

The devices were analysed by specialist officers and found to contain 307 indecent images and videos of children.

Of these, 166 were classed as category A images or videos – the most serious. There were also 102 category B images, 39 category C, and six extreme pornographic images.

Thompson was arrested and charged with three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for 18 months at Durham Crown Court yesterday (February 12).

Thompson, now of Shildon, was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. 

The investigation was led by the force’s OCAIT unit – a specialist team made up of six police officers and a member of police staff who work to protect vulnerable children from abuse.

Detective Constable Rebecca Lockey, who led the investigation, said: “Thompson’s behaviour was abhorrent and demonstrates the very real dangers posed online by individuals who deliberately seek to groom and sexually exploit children.

“His devices contained both still and moving images involving the sexual abuse of young children who will now have to live with the trauma they have suffered.

“This type of offending not only affects those children involved, but their families and wider communities too.

“That is why we will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt this type of criminal activity, and keep more children safe from harm.”

If you have concerns about online safety, visit our website www.durham.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/online-safety/online-safety/