CHILD SEXUAL ABUSER JAILED
Cosmin Cercel sexually assaulted and took indecent images of one child and used AI technology to make indecent images of a second victim.The 30-year-old from Colchester was jailed for five years and four months when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing.
An investigation was launched in December 2025 after one young victim told their mum they had been assaulted by the defendant.
Due to the volume of content, an urgent specialist review of the defendant’s device was carried out and this intensive phone work identified a second victim and further offences.
Detectives were able to speak to the family of the second child, who were unaware of Cercel’s offending.
They were supported by our officers as the scope of our investigation continued.
We discovered he had used AI technology to make images of the second child appear to look like they were not wearing clothes.
Cercel, of Winnock Road, was charged with Attempted rape Four counts of Sexual Assault on a Child (Under 13) Causing or Inciting a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category A Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category B Taking Indecent Images of a Child – Category C Making a Pseudo Photograph of a Child He denied the count of attempted rape, but admitted the other nine offences when he appeared at the same court on 2 February 2026.
The count of attempted rape was left to lie on file.
