COLIN APPLEYARD'S HORRIFIC RE-OFFENSE IN GREAT HORTON: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED AFTER DISCOVERY OF OVER 24,000 CHILD IMAGES

In August 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Colin Appleyard, a 73-year-old resident of Bartle Close in Great Horton, who was convicted of possessing an alarming collection of indecent images and videos of children. This case marked a shocking re-offense, as Appleyard had previously received a suspended sentence for possessing over 175,000 such images, highlighting the severity of his criminal behavior.

On June 1, police executed a search warrant at Appleyard’s residence after concerns arose that he was viewing and possibly sharing indecent material online. The investigation was prompted by his address being linked to a suspicious website, which raised suspicions about his online activities. During the search, authorities seized a laptop, a hard drive, and an iPad for forensic examination. The subsequent analysis revealed that the hard drive and laptop contained a staggering total of 24,166 indecent images of children, including videos classified as Category A, which is considered the most serious level of child exploitation material.

Further investigation uncovered that some of these images were saved in a folder labeled ‘Ultra Cute,’ indicating a disturbing level of organization and premeditation. Appleyard had used peer-to-peer file sharing platforms to access and download these illicit images, demonstrating a calculated approach to his illegal activities. Additionally, he employed software designed to delete potentially unwanted files and another to accelerate download speeds, suggesting an attempt to conceal his activities and make the process more efficient.

The images and videos were downloaded between March and May of that year, and depicted children aged from as young as seven up to fifteen years old. The collection included over 100 videos, further emphasizing the extent of his offending. Prosecutor Giles Bridge described Appleyard’s storage system as “systematic,” indicating a methodical approach to his illicit collection.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Appleyard acts as a carer for his wife of 51 years. He has also suffered health issues, including a coronary bypass and a chronic pulmonary disorder, which added a layer of complexity to his case. His defense attorney, Ash Khullar, argued that his wife was an innocent party who would suffer as a result of his actions, attempting to evoke sympathy and highlight his personal circumstances.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, the Recorder of Bradford, addressed the court with a stern warning. He acknowledged Appleyard’s health problems but emphasized that the damage caused by his actions was entirely self-inflicted. The judge condemned the defendant’s previous life as seemingly blameless before his recent offenses, which involved the possession of over 175,000 images depicting the abuse of children. The judge described Appleyard’s behavior as a “depraved” and “sophisticated” return to his entrenched paedophilic tendencies, which he initially denied.

He stated, “You are an ill man with a number of serious problems, but this damage is entirely self-inflicted. You have lived, on the face of it, a blameless life before appearing before me last year on no less than six counts of making over 175,000 images, involved 175,000 children being abused for the depraved interest of paedophiles like you.”

Judge Durham Hall further condemned Appleyard’s actions, describing the images as involving “very long and distressing” scenes of children used to satisfy the cravings of offenders like him. He characterized the case as “very bad,” noting the “clever, sophisticated, and devious” methods Appleyard employed to continue his illegal activities despite previous convictions.

In sentencing, Appleyard received 24 months in prison for each count, to be served concurrently. Additionally, he was ordered to serve his 20-month suspended sentence in full, consecutively, and was placed under a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent any future offenses. This case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Appleyard, whose actions have profound and lasting impacts on victims and society as a whole.