Essex paedophile jailed 13 years for 580 child abuse images and videos

David Crookes, 67, of Canvey Island, pleaded guilty to nine offences including distributing indecent images. He was arrested in 2022 while attempting to flee the UK.

Canvey Island man sentenced for commissioning child sexual abuse since 2010

A 67-year-old paedophile who attempted to leave the country carrying indecent images of children has been jailed for 13 years, bbc.com reports.

David Crookes, of Link Road, Canvey Island, Essex, pleaded guilty to nine offences, including possessing 580 images and videos of child sexual abuse, causing a child to watch a sexual act, distributing indecent images of a child, and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Crookes had been commissioning the sexual abuse of children since 2010. A member of Essex Police's Online Investigation Team, which handled the case, described his crimes as among the "most graphic" they had encountered in their career.

He was arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police in 2022 while attempting to leave the country and subsequently pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Crookes received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He will serve a further five years on extended licence after his release from prison.

Detective Jack Morgan, speaking after the hearing, said: "The victims in this case endured some of the most prolonged abuse and grooming I have encountered as a police officer. Seeing Crookes jailed is crucial to not only keeping them safe but also others."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)