EDMUND BLACK HIGGINS FROM RICHMOND JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES IN LONDON AND NORFOLK

In a disturbing case that spans multiple locations including Richmond, London, and Norfolk, Edmund Black, also known as Edmund Higgins, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as his participation in online child abuse forums. The investigation, carried out by the National Crime Agency (NCA), uncovered a pattern of disturbing online activity and possession of highly illegal material.

Black, aged 44, was convicted after admitting to two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the distribution of indecent images of children, along with a count of making such images himself. The evidence revealed that between September 2015 and March 2018, Black was actively present in online conference rooms on 18 separate occasions where child sex abuse was being shown. One particularly heinous incident occurred in May 2016, when he hosted a conference room where nine videos depicting the sexual abuse of very young children, including a three-month-old infant, were played. These videos had been previously identified by authorities, and measures had been taken to safeguard the children involved.

During the viewing of these videos, Black made comments indicating his sexual interest in babies, which further underscored the severity of his offending. The investigation also uncovered that despite being under scrutiny, Black continued his online activities. In January of this year, NCA officers executed a raid on his residence in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where they seized a laptop containing a significant cache of illegal images. The device held 201 Category A images, which are classified as the most severe, along with 176 Category B images, 461 Category C images, and 10 prohibited images. These findings confirmed the extent of his possession of illegal material.

It was also revealed that Black, who previously went by the name Fr Edmund Higgins, had a prior conviction in 2013 for possessing indecent images of children. At that time, he was serving as a Catholic priest in Richmond, located in southwest London. Despite his earlier conviction, Black continued his illicit activities, which led to his recent arrest and subsequent sentencing.

Black’s criminal behavior persisted even after he was placed on bail. He returned to the online conference rooms and continued to offend, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children. His actions have caused significant concern among law enforcement and safeguarding agencies, given the nature of the material involved and his apparent ongoing engagement in such activities.

In a related case from August 2013, Black, then known as Fr Edmund Higgins, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court and was found to possess 174 indecent images of children on his laptop. The court heard that Higgins, who had been practicing as a priest since the age of 18 at St Elizabeth’s Church in Richmond, struggled with his sexuality and sought solace in gay chat rooms. These online interactions often involved adult pornography, but he was also sent indecent images of children, which he viewed and subsequently deleted. Prosecutor Gavin Kirkpatrick stated that Higgins was aware of the nature of these files and that they had not been obtained unsolicited.

Higgins admitted to possessing the images and engaging in online discussions about child abuse. The court sentenced him to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, along with a supervision order and a sexual offences prevention order. His defense argued that Higgins was deeply ashamed and believed the files had been erased from his device, which was later destroyed. The court acknowledged his long-standing service as a priest and the internal conflict caused by his sexuality, which he claimed led him to seek refuge online.

Judge Anne Molyneux, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “All of the children in those images are vulnerable human beings. Each of those children were violated when the image was taken and violated again when the image was viewed.” She also noted that Higgins had lost his career, home, and reputation, and that his actions had brought shame upon the church he served for many years. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in such illegal activities.