BRAIN ARMITAGE CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN CLEETHORPES AND GRIMSBY

In September 2018, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence involving Brian Armitage, a resident of Combe Street, Cleethorpes, that has sent shockwaves through the local community. The incident began when Armitage visited an EE mobile phone shop located in Freshney Place, Grimsby, seeking assistance with removing malicious software from his mobile device. He explained that he had been subjected to ransomware demands, which prompted him to seek professional help in hopes of resolving the issue.

However, what started as a routine repair request quickly escalated into a serious criminal investigation. Staff members at the shop noticed troubling content on Armitage’s phone. An employee observed images that raised immediate concern, prompting the shop’s management to alert the authorities. Upon inspection, the staff discovered browsing history and images that appeared to be indecent and related to child exploitation.

Police were promptly called to the scene, and the shop staff retained possession of the device to facilitate data preservation and potential wiping. The police took custody of the phone, which was later examined thoroughly. The investigation revealed a total of 26 images stored on the device, alongside online searches related to “child abuse.”

During questioning, Armitage attempted to downplay the severity of his actions. He claimed, “All this is not intentional. I am not a paedophile. I just accidentally, curiously looked at stuff I should not have done.” He further explained that he initially intended to browse a nudism website, which inadvertently led him to a family-oriented website containing computer-generated images that he found disturbing.

Despite his claims of accidental viewing, the evidence against Armitage was substantial. The police found that he possessed not only indecent images of children but also prohibited material, including an extreme image involving a dog. These findings led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

At Grimsby Crown Court, Jessica Lister, the prosecutor, detailed the charges against Armitage. He was formally charged with two counts of making indecent images of children, possession of prohibited images, and possession of an extreme image involving an animal. The case has brought to light the serious nature of online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in digital investigations, especially in cases involving seemingly ordinary individuals from local communities like Cleethorpes and Grimsby.