ABDU RAHMAN AL HASSEN FROM LIVERPOOL JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ABUSE IMAGES

In September 2011, a disturbing case emerged involving Abdul Rahman Al Hassen, a university student from Liverpool, who was convicted of possessing and distributing obscene images and videos depicting child abuse. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the offenses and the disturbing details revealed during the trial.

Al Hassen, aged 25 at the time, was found to have engaged in highly inappropriate online activities that included setting up a fake profile on a babysitting website, ostensibly to connect with others involved in similar illicit interests. Investigations into his computer revealed a sickening exchange of messages with other online predators, discussing the abuse of a young boy. These conversations underscored the extent of his involvement in the online child exploitation community.

He had recently graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in electrical engineering. His criminal activities came to light when he was caught uploading two videos of child pornography to a social networking platform. This act prompted a police raid on his residence located in the city centre of Liverpool. During the search, officers from the Abusive Images Unit uncovered a horrifying collection of over 42,000 indecent images and videos stored across two computers and two external hard drives.

Judge Mark Brown presided over the case and sentenced Al Hassen to two years and four months in prison. In his sentencing remarks, the judge expressed his revulsion at the nature of the crimes, stating that it was evident Al Hassen derived sexual gratification from viewing abuse involving boys, including infants as young as four months old. The judge described Al Hassen as a deviant individual with extensive offending history, emphasizing that his sexual fantasies involved role-playing with diapers, which were found in his flat, obtained from waste bins.

Judge Brown further highlighted the psychological aspects of Al Hassen’s behavior, noting that he exhibited entrenched sexual fantasies involving the serious abuse of babies and children. A probation officer’s assessment indicated that Al Hassen was “on the cusp” of acting on these urges and posed a high risk of reoffending. The judge expressed profound concern for the potential suffering of the victims, emphasizing the unimaginable physical, emotional, and psychological trauma they would have endured.

Al Hassen, residing on Benson Street in Liverpool, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of making indecent images and six more serious charges related to distribution. Prosecutor Kim Egerton revealed that the police found a total of 42,545 photographs and videos across various categories of severity during the raid on January 13. Additionally, Al Hassen had shared 194 images and videos with other internet users involved in paedophilia.

During police interviews, Al Hassen admitted to searching for images of boys of all ages. He claimed to have attempted to stop his activities and had deleted some images, but he admitted to returning to his illicit pursuits. He insisted that the conversation about abusing a very young boy was merely a “fantasy” and not reflective of real intentions.

His defense lawyer, Stuart Driver QC, stated that Al Hassen had planned to return to Qatar after completing his degree but would now face deportation. The lawyer also noted that Al Hassen came from a culture with a formal background and expressed shame over his actions. Despite his academic achievements, including an FA coaching certificate for working with young footballers, the court banned him from working with children, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses.