ALLAN CROWLEY CAUGHT WITH OVER 1,500 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN CWMBRAN

In a case that has shocked the community of Cwmbran, a 69-year-old man named Allan Crowley has been subjected to a stringent supervision order after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images involving children on his personal computer.

According to court records, Crowley, residing on Glade Close in Cwmbran, was found to possess a staggering total of 1,585 indecent images of minors, spanning a period from January 2006 to March 2013. The investigation was initiated after police seized his computer on March 28, 2013, revealing the extent of his illicit material.

The images were classified into categories based on their severity, with 257 images falling into the most serious Category A, indicating the highest level of harm and explicitness. Additionally, there were 118 images in Category B and a significant 1,210 images in Category C, which are considered less severe but nonetheless deeply troubling.

During the court proceedings at Newport Crown Court, the prosecution, led by barrister Michael Hammett, detailed how police also discovered explicit messages and conversations exchanged via the internet. These communications involved Crowley describing his disturbing fantasies of abusing children, further illustrating the gravity of his actions.

Crowley admitted to using online sex chatting platforms, including Windows Live Messenger, and explained that he would often participate in conversations that others initiated, describing them as part of a “fantasy world.” He claimed that he was not actively seeking out such material but rather stumbled upon it while browsing for music on certain websites.

The court heard that Crowley's interest in the images and conversations was not incidental but part of a pattern of behavior that he acknowledged. Despite this, his defense lawyer, Marian Lewis, argued that Crowley's offending occurred during a period when he was experiencing personal difficulties, including caring for a sick wife and dealing with the breakdown of his marriage. Lewis emphasized that Crowley was in a low emotional state and expressed genuine remorse for his actions, stating that he felt deeply ashamed.

Judge Patrick Curran QC addressed Crowley directly, noting that the offences were “very serious” because they involved “real children being sexually assaulted.” The judge sentenced Crowley to a three-year supervision order, which includes mandatory participation in a sex offender treatment program. Furthermore, Crowley will be registered as a sex offender for five years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

Judge Curran also highlighted that the supervision order carries the weight of a suspended prison sentence, allowing authorities to intervene if Crowley fails to comply or if further concerns arise. The court’s decision reflects a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, aiming to protect society while offering the offender a chance to address his issues through supervised treatment.