COLIN DREW CAUGHT WITH ILLEGAL IMAGES IN CULLOMPTON LIBRARY AFTER ONLINE CONTACT WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In January 2017, a serious incident unfolded in Cullompton involving Colin Drew, a 41-year-old resident of Fairfax Drive. Drew was apprehended by police at a public library after investigations revealed he had been attempting to contact a 14-year-old girl through online messaging. The police's intervention was prompted by a complaint from the young girl, who reported that Drew was sending her messages and asking to meet her at a local Tesco store.

During the arrest, officers discovered Drew in possession of two mobile phones, which contained images of concern. Additionally, his former partner brought in a computer that also held illicit images. The authorities decided not to pursue further action regarding some of the other allegations but focused on the evidence found on his devices.

Further examination of Drew’s electronic devices uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images. Specifically, police recovered a total of 940 images, which were classified into different categories based on their severity. The majority, 815 images, fell into Category C, depicting naked children in indecent poses, which is considered the lowest level of illegal content. The remaining 125 images were classified as Category B, showing non-penetrative sexual activity involving minors.

It was revealed that these images had been downloaded recently, but some of the material on a memory card and the computer dated back as far as 2009. Drew’s actions and possession of such material prompted immediate legal proceedings.

At Exeter Crown Court, Drew pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent images of children. His legal case highlighted that he was already under a community order due to previous similar offences. Despite this, he was found with additional illegal images, raising concerns about his compliance with the existing order.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned the case for sentencing to the following month. He ordered a probation report to be prepared, which would include an update on Drew’s progress under his current community order. The judge emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The position for you is much more serious than it has been in the past because images were downloaded after the previous sentence. I will renew bail but make no promises about the outcome.”

Prosecutor Mr. Lee Bremridge explained that the police’s discovery was triggered by the girl’s complaint and subsequent investigation. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about online safety and the risks posed by individuals attempting to exploit minors through digital platforms in the Cullompton area.