MAN WHO HAD OVER 15,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES JAILED
A long-term child sex offender received a prison sentence after authorities uncovered thousands of abusive images stored across multiple electronic devices.In 2025, Andrew Sharp uploaded an indecent image of a child to the internet.
This act was reported to Kent Police, leading to an extensive investigation.
A search warrant was executed at Sharp’s property on Station Road, Lydd, Romney Marsh, in June 2025 to seize his internet-enabled devices.
Although Sharp was overseas at the time, he was informed about the confiscation of his digital equipment.
Analysis of his laptop by digital forensic experts revealed child sexual abuse material.
After returning to the UK, Sharp messaged a contact in his phone, admitting to having indecent images and revealing he had also taken illicit photos of a young girl.
He was arrested on June 21, 2025, upon re-entry and interviewed in custody.
During this interview, he admitted to possessing the illegal images and confessed to sexually assaulting a young girl over a four-year period.
He faced charges for sexual assault and two other counts involving indecent images.
Following his arrest, he remained in custody.
Further investigation led to the discovery of more of Sharp’s devices, which contained thousands of child abuse images and hundreds of photos of his young victim, suggesting she had been raped.
A detailed forensic examination of his devices identified 17,382 indecent images of children.
In November 2025, Sharp was rearrested.
He pleaded guilty to 12 additional charges including rape and was kept in detention while awaiting sentencing.
He was sentenced on June 19, 2026, to 13 years and six months imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court.
The court also imposed a 20-year restraining order against his victim and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
