DAVID LINLEY FROM ILKESTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SHARING IN DERBYSHIRE

In July 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving David Linley, a resident of Ilkeston, who was found guilty of possessing and sharing highly disturbing child abuse images. The Derby Crown Court heard that Linley, aged 52, had downloaded and stored vile videos and photographs depicting the abuse of young girls, including one particularly heinous image of a pre-pubescent girl being assaulted by an adult. These illicit materials were stored on a mobile phone that Linley kept hidden from authorities, despite the fact that police were already aware of his previous convictions related to similar offenses.

Further investigations revealed that Linley had shared these images with another individual via an internet messaging service. His online username was “Daddy love Young,” a disturbing moniker that reflected his perverted interests. The court was informed that Linley’s actions were not isolated; he had a prior conviction from four years earlier, when he was sentenced to 31 months in prison after being caught attempting to meet an underage girl for sex. In that earlier case, which took place at Luton Crown Court, police had uncovered more grotesque images on his electronic devices, confirming a pattern of predatory behavior.

During the recent hearing, Recorder Adrian Reynolds sentenced Linley to three years in prison. The judge expressed his revulsion at the nature of the images shared, particularly emphasizing the pre-pubescent girl being abused in one of the videos. The judge remarked, “One of the videos you shared was of a pre-pubescent girl being abused, and one can’t begin to imagine what that child must have endured for your sexual gratification. It is so loathsome to put into words. I have noted that throughout this hearing, you have been staring at the floor. That’s not surprising because your behavior has been absolutely shameful, and I hope you are ashamed of yourself.”

Prosecutor Siward James-Moore provided additional context, explaining that in November 2016, Linley was previously jailed at Luton Crown Court after a police sting operation uncovered his attempts to meet an underage girl for sex. During that investigation, authorities found even more disturbing images on his devices. After his release, Linley was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which required him to inform police about his online activities. However, he later moved to Ilkeston and claimed that he only used a mobile phone incapable of internet access, stating he would visit the local library if he needed to go online.

Nevertheless, in April of this year, police officers executed a search at Linley’s residence on Wilton Place. They discovered a concealed smartphone inside a kitchen unit. The device contained evidence that Linley had been sharing indecent images with another person. The messages and images indicated that he used the messenger service under the alias “Daddy love Young,” and among the images was a video of a young girl, estimated to be between five and eight years old, being sexually abused by an adult. The messages posted in groups bore names such as “bad parents” and “little,” further highlighting the disturbing nature of his online activity.

Linley pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession of indecent images, distribution of such images, and breaching his sexual harm prevention order. As a result, he has been placed on the sex offender register for life and has been issued a new, indefinite sexual harm prevention order to prevent any future offenses. The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Linley, who continue to engage in the exploitation and abuse of children through digital means.