CONNOR GABBEY FROM IVYBRIDGE CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN PLYMOUTH

In August 2021, Connor Gabbey, a 22-year-old resident of Ivybridge, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after being discovered in possession of nearly 250 indecent images of children. The disturbing material included some depicting children being sexually abused, and the case drew significant attention from law enforcement authorities.

Gabbey’s arrest was triggered when police traced an image uploaded to the file-sharing platform Dropbox from his internet connection. The authorities managed to link the upload directly to his IP address, leading to a search warrant being executed at his residence in Butterdon Walk, Ivybridge, in February of the following year. During the investigation, Gabbey was confronted by officers and made a startling confession, telling them, “I thought I was invincible but I am just going to confess what I have done.”

According to the evidence presented in Plymouth Crown Court, police discovered a total of 246 images on Gabbey’s devices. These included both accessible and inaccessible files, with 63 classified as Category A, indicating the most severe form of child exploitation material. The investigation revealed that Gabbey had taken steps to conceal his activities by installing software designed to mask his online identity, making it more difficult for authorities to track his actions.

Prosecutors outlined the gravity of the case, emphasizing the seriousness of possessing such material. Holly Rust, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, stated that the police traced the upload to Gabbey’s Dropbox account in the summer of 2017. She further explained that during the police search, Gabbey made remarks that suggested awareness of his illegal activities and a recognition of the risks involved.

In addition to the images, Gabbey was found to have a device capable of accessing the internet anonymously, which he used to facilitate his activities. As part of the sentencing, the court imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, allowing authorities to monitor his internet usage closely. Gabbey was also required to sign the Sex Offender Register for the same period and was ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program, undertake 150 hours of unpaid community work, and pay £120 towards prosecution costs. Furthermore, he was sentenced to a three-year community order, which includes supervision activities and a long-term commitment to address his behavior.

Judge Peter Johnson emphasized the court’s serious stance on such offenses, noting that the typical starting point for such crimes is a 12-month prison sentence. However, he acknowledged that community orders are a recognized alternative, especially when addressing underlying issues. The judge highlighted that Gabbey’s case appeared to be part of a long-term problem, warranting a comprehensive community-based approach to rehabilitation.