DAVID POOLE BIRKDALE CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL: SUSPENDED SENTENCE IN LIVERPOOL COURT

In May 2018, a disturbing case unfolded at Liverpool Crown Court involving David Poole, a 69-year-old resident of Blundell Avenue in Birkdale. Poole was found to have accumulated a significant collection of illicit images over a span of five years, which included highly disturbing content involving children as young as three years old, as well as extreme pornography featuring animals.

Prosecutor Ian Criddle detailed the severity of the case, emphasizing that the images depicted very young children, some only three years old. The investigation revealed that Poole had actively used internet chat rooms, which ultimately led police to identify his online activity through his username and IP address. This digital trail prompted a police raid on his residence on May 12, 2017.

At the time of the raid, Poole was at home with his wife and his 14-year-old stepdaughter. During the search, officers seized two of his computers, which contained hundreds of indecent images collected between 2012 and 2017. Despite Poole having installed software designed to shred files—an attempt to conceal his activities—the police were able to recover the incriminating material. Mr. Criddle pointed out that the search history on Poole’s devices clearly indicated an interest in child abuse images, with search terms such as ‘Lolita,’ a reference to Vladimir Nabokov’s 1955 novel about a middle-aged man’s obsession with a young girl.

Poole admitted to downloading a total of 220 indecent images, which included 66 in the most serious Category A, 73 in Category B, and 81 in Category C. In addition, he possessed four prohibited images of children and five extreme pornographic images. The court heard that these images were collected over several years, highlighting a persistent pattern of offending.

In sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall acknowledged Poole’s good character and employment prospects, which contributed to his decision to suspend the prison sentence. Poole was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for 15 months, and was ordered to participate in a rehabilitation activity program lasting up to 60 days. Furthermore, he was mandated to adhere to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and to register as a sex offender for the same period.

Judge Woodhall emphasized that Poole had been given a chance for rehabilitation, to which Poole responded confidently, “You won’t see me again.” The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of such heinous material, especially within communities like Birkdale and the wider Liverpool area.