DAVID CAREY'S CRIMINAL REIGN IN LONGBENTON: LIBRARY BREACH AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In May 2022, David Carey, a resident of Longbenton, found himself at the center of a serious legal controversy involving breaches of court orders and possession of illegal child pornography materials. The incident unfolded when Carey repeatedly accessed the internet at Whitley Bay library despite being explicitly banned from doing so without prior police notification. Over the course of December 2021, he used the library’s computers on seven separate occasions—specifically on the 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 21st, and 22nd—raising suspicions among library staff who eventually reported their concerns to authorities.

According to court proceedings, Carey’s actions constituted a clear violation of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which had been imposed five years earlier following his conviction for 13 separate offences related to indecent images of children. The Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Carey’s breach was not limited to unauthorized internet use; police investigations uncovered further troubling evidence. On December 14, 2021, in the early hours, a police officer responding to multiple 999 calls made by Carey located him sitting on a bench. When approached, Carey quickly placed a pink iPod into his pocket and initially only handed over an old mobile phone. After further questioning, he also provided the pink iPod, which was subsequently examined.

A search of Carey’s residence in Longbenton revealed another iPod and a SIM card, neither of which had been registered with the police. The search history on these devices indicated attempts to access child sexual abuse images, further implicating him in illegal activities. During the investigation, authorities also discovered that Carey was in possession of a second iPod and a SIM card, both unregistered, which contained search histories suggestive of seeking out such illicit content.

The court heard that Carey’s actions and possession of these devices were in direct violation of his previous court orders. His history includes two prior convictions, and the evidence presented pointed to his ongoing interest in accessing and viewing child exploitation material. Judge Penny Moreland addressed Carey directly, emphasizing the gravity of his possession of a mobile device that contained evidence of searches for indecent images of children. The judge stated, “When you search for indecent images of children, you are looking for pictures of real children, victims of sexual abuse in order for you to gain pleasure.” Despite the seriousness of the case, Judge Moreland decided to suspend Carey’s prison sentence, opting instead for a period of supervision. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 55 days of rehabilitation activities.

This case is part of a broader pattern of criminal behavior by Carey, who, in April 2017, was also convicted of possessing over 9,000 indecent images of children, including some depicting the abuse of infants. During that trial, it was revealed that Carey had downloaded, possessed, and distributed these images, some of which were classified as Category A—the most severe level of such material. Police found the illegal content on his laptop and two mobile phones during a search at his Longbenton home. Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw described the images as “disgusting,” and noted that Carey had come into contact with others sharing similar interests online, exchanging and distributing these illicit materials.

Carey, then aged 34 and living with his mother, initially viewed adult pornography but had progressed to viewing child sexual abuse images. His case was adjourned for further assessment, and he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including supervision, participation in a sex offenders’ program, and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Further back in February 2017, Carey admitted to possessing approximately 9,000 indecent images and movies of children, which a police officer described as among the worst he had encountered. The police found these materials on Carey’s computer equipment, including images and videos of extreme content, such as sexual acts involving animals. He also admitted to distributing some of these images. The court was informed that Carey’s offenses spanned from 2012 to 2016, and he had no prior criminal record before these incidents.

Throughout these proceedings, Carey’s defense acknowledged the seriousness of his actions, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender and remain on bail. The case highlighted the disturbing extent of his illegal activities and the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the possession and distribution of child exploitation materials, especially those who breach court orders designed to prevent such behavior.