ARRON ALLSOPP FROM BURTON JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In March of this year, authorities conducted a raid on the residence of Arron Allsopp, a resident of Waterloo Street in Burton, as part of a nationwide operation targeting child pornography known as Operation Ore. During this police intervention, officers uncovered a disturbing collection of illicit images and video clips stored on Allsopp’s computer system. The material found was of such a depraved nature that it included some images classified at the highest severity level, known as 'level five,' which is reserved for the most heinous forms of child exploitation.

Prosecutor Alexander Jacobs detailed to Stafford Crown Court that the police discovered a significant cache of these repulsive materials, which had been downloaded by Allsopp in 1999. The investigation revealed that he had been paying a Texan-based online service a monthly fee to access this illegal content. The evidence collected included computer disks, credit card statements, and other digital storage devices, all pointing to his active engagement with such material over a period of time.

During a police interview, Allsopp admitted that his interest in child pornography was a fleeting phase, describing it as 'a brief spark.' He claimed to have been involved in viewing these images but then deleted everything he could, attempting to erase his digital footprint. Despite this, the evidence and the seized items proved otherwise, leading to multiple charges.

At an earlier hearing before Burton magistrates, Allsopp pleaded guilty to 16 counts of making indecent images of children, one count of creating an indecent video of a child, and possession of indecent images. His defense lawyer, Nick Smith, expressed remorse on his behalf, emphasizing that Allsopp was deeply ashamed of his actions. Smith argued that the early guilty plea was a significant mitigating factor and highlighted that his client recognized the severity of his offenses.

Arron Allsopp, aged 30, was accompanied to court by his girlfriend and parents during the proceedings. The judge, John Rubery, sentenced him to six months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Rubery emphasized the gravity of the crimes, noting that the images involved very young children and that viewing such material is inherently disturbing and unacceptable. The judge stated that custodial punishment serves as a clear message that such offenses will not be tolerated and underscored that the possession of these images perpetuates a vile trade that harms innocent children.