DAVID MURRELL FROM HELLESDON CAUGHT WITH CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AT NORWICH COURT

In April 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving David Murrell, a 46-year-old man from Hellesdon, who was brought before Norwich Crown Court to face serious allegations related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The case revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that spanned over several years, involving both the downloading and taking of inappropriate photographs at local sports events.

Murrell, a former member of a Norwich-based running club, was found to have downloaded hundreds of indecent images of minors. The court heard that his activities were not limited to internet downloads; he also took explicit photographs himself during various sporting events, including running and gymnastics competitions. These images depicted young girls in tight athletic wear, with some photographs showing close-up views of genital areas, raising significant concerns about his intentions and the nature of his conduct.

Prosecutor Chris Youell detailed that the images taken by Murrell at events in June and August 2019 included girls wearing 'skin tight running shorts and sports bras.' Further, in December 2019, Murrell was found to have taken photographs at gymnastics events, which contained explicit close-ups of children's genital regions. These images were stored in a concealed folder on his mobile device, accessible only through a secret app protected by a PIN code, indicating an attempt to hide his activities.

The police investigation was triggered after a category B indecent image uploaded by Murrell led officers to execute a search warrant at his residence in July 2020. During the search, authorities recovered a mobile phone and a hard drive, both of which contained numerous indecent images of children. The evidence showed that Murrell had been involved in this illicit activity over a period of three years, from 2017 to 2020. The images ranged in severity, with some classified as category A—the most serious—alongside category B and C images. In total, police found 501 images classified as category C, with 424 downloaded from the internet and 77 taken by Murrell himself, some of which were duplicates.

Further investigation uncovered online chat logs where Murrell discussed topics related to sexual abuse of children, including explicit conversations about 'sexually abusing children.' Prosecutor Youell emphasized that these communications, along with the images, indicated a disturbing pattern of fantasizing and predatory behavior. "There clearly was in the background of his life something where he was fantasising about young children and young girls," he stated. "He was talking about it on the internet and taking pictures and downloading images."

Murrell, who resides on Silk Mill Road in Hellesdon, appeared in court on Thursday, April 28, after admitting to three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of distributing such images. He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of taking indecent photographs of a child. The court heard victim impact statements from the families of the children involved. One mother recounted the shock of police knocking on her door, describing the experience as something she would 'never forget' and feeling as if her world had 'stopped.' She expressed ongoing distress, stating, "It’s something I don’t think I will truly ever get over," and shared her feelings of confusion, terror, disbelief, and disgust. She also revealed that she lies awake at night, worrying about what could have happened if Murrell had not been caught.

Another parent, the father of a different victim, expressed his dismay and hope that Murrell would receive the help he needed. The court was told that the emotional toll on the victims' families was profound, highlighting the serious impact of Murrell’s actions.

Judge Katharine Moore adjourned the case for sentencing until Wednesday, May 4. She issued a stern warning to Murrell, stating that he had crossed the 'custody threshold by a country mile,' indicating the gravity of his offenses. Due to concerns about his welfare, the judge remanded Murrell in custody until the sentencing date, emphasizing the seriousness of the case and the need for appropriate judicial response.