BERNARD MOORE FROM PRINCES RISBOROUGH SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND ONLINE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN THE UK AND AUSTRALIA

In April 2022, a disturbing case involving the sexual abuse of underage boys and the distribution of illicit material came to light, centering around Bernard Moore, a 57-year-old resident of Princes Risborough. The case revealed a pattern of heinous behavior that spanned both his local community and international online platforms.

Moore was found to have engaged in the filming of his sexual abuse of young boys using covert 'spy cams' hidden within his home, which he then uploaded to a Russian-based adult website. The footage bore titles that explicitly hinted at their disturbing content, such as 'teen boy spy cam' and 'spy cam: he’s at it again,' reflecting his twisted fascination and deliberate attempt to conceal and share his crimes.

The unmasking of Moore’s activities occurred late last year when Australian police, during an online investigation, came across the videos uploaded to the internet. The authorities noted that the uploader’s username contained Moore’s date of birth, which led them to trace the account back to him in Buckinghamshire. This discovery prompted the Australian police to notify Thames Valley Police, initiating a joint investigation.

On November 16, Oxfordshire detectives conducted interviews with two of Moore’s victims, both of whom are now teenagers. Due to legal restrictions, their identities remain confidential. The victims recounted their experiences, which included being coerced into sexual acts, often while intoxicated, and being filmed by Moore. The older two boys chose not to participate in interviews. Less than a month after the initial tip-off, on December 1, Moore was arrested at his home and a search was carried out.

During the search, authorities seized a Dell computer, twelve USB sticks, a memory card, and several home CCTV cameras installed in various rooms of his residence. These devices contained thousands of videos and images, many of which depicted Moore sexually assaulting the four boys, with the youngest victim being just 11 years old when the abuse began. One particularly disturbing video captured Moore calling a 12-year-old boy a 'filthy pig' and encouraging him to perform a sex act on himself.

Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson detailed the extent of Moore’s crimes during a hearing at Oxford Crown Court. He explained that the footage included scenes where the boys were encouraged to perform sexual acts on themselves, on each other, and on Moore himself. Some of the victims appeared intoxicated, having been given beer, and others were shown sleeping while Moore continued his abuse. The investigation also uncovered a cache of over 23,500 indecent images of children, including 513 classified as the most serious category.

In court, Judge Maria Lamb sentenced Moore to 13 years and four months in prison. She described him as an 'utterly malign influence' who exploited each of the boys for his own sexual gratification. The judge also imposed an extended sentence, requiring Moore to serve two-thirds of his term before being considered for parole, along with a three-year extension on license. She emphasized that unless his risk is properly managed, Moore would remain a danger to young boys.

Moore, who appeared bearded and was present at the hearing, pleaded guilty to 33 counts earlier, including sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and possession and distribution of indecent images. As part of his sentence, he will be placed on the sex offender register for life and subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order that restricts his access to minors.

At the conclusion of the nearly two-hour hearing, Judge Lamb commended the police for their 'swift and comprehensive' investigation that led to Moore’s conviction. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies in the UK and Australia to combat online child exploitation and bring offenders to justice, ensuring that Moore’s malicious actions are met with the full weight of the law.