ERnest Blackburn CAUGHT IN LEEDS WITH OVER 17,000 INDECENT CHILD IMAGES AND VIDEOS
| Red Rose Database
Leeds Colton Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Leeds, a 70-year-old man named Ernest Blackburn was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images and videos involving children. The police raid on Blackburn’s residence in Colton uncovered more than 17,000 illicit files, including some of the most severe and offensive material available, such as images depicting animals being sexually abused and, most distressingly, a photograph of a 12-month-old baby being subjected to sexual abuse.
Authorities acted on credible intelligence that prompted a search of Blackburn’s home on Austhorpe Avenue in Leeds in September 2011. The investigation was carried out by West Yorkshire Police, specifically their abusive images unit, who meticulously examined the contents of Blackburn’s computer and storage devices. The discovery was both extensive and deeply troubling, revealing a vast collection of illegal material that spanned multiple categories of severity.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Blackburn had accessed some of the most serious and grossly offensive images, including those classified at levels four and five, which are considered the most severe categories of child exploitation images. The police found that more than 900 of these images fell into these highest levels of severity, indicating the extreme nature of the material he possessed.
Blackburn, who was married, initially denied any involvement in the offending, claiming ignorance about how the illicit material had come to be on his computer. Despite his protests, the evidence against him was overwhelming. He eventually pleaded guilty to 21 charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children on the day he was scheduled to stand trial last month.
At Leeds Crown Court, the judge considered Blackburn’s case carefully. Prior to sentencing, Blackburn was temporarily detained over the weekend, allowing the court to deliberate on an appropriate punishment. When he appeared in court last Friday, the judge sentenced him to a three-year intensive community order, a measure intended to address and rehabilitate his offending behavior. Additionally, Blackburn was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.
The court acknowledged that Blackburn had no previous criminal record and noted his remorsefulness regarding his actions. His legal representative, Ian Cook, described the prison experience as particularly frightening for Blackburn, emphasizing that the reality of incarceration is far harsher than what is often portrayed on television.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Claire Forder from West Yorkshire Police’s abusive images unit issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the case. She stated, “Today’s sentence sends out the message that individuals who exploit children via the internet will be identified and prosecuted. West Yorkshire Police are committed to tracing such offenders whether within our county or beyond.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from further harm.
Authorities acted on credible intelligence that prompted a search of Blackburn’s home on Austhorpe Avenue in Leeds in September 2011. The investigation was carried out by West Yorkshire Police, specifically their abusive images unit, who meticulously examined the contents of Blackburn’s computer and storage devices. The discovery was both extensive and deeply troubling, revealing a vast collection of illegal material that spanned multiple categories of severity.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Blackburn had accessed some of the most serious and grossly offensive images, including those classified at levels four and five, which are considered the most severe categories of child exploitation images. The police found that more than 900 of these images fell into these highest levels of severity, indicating the extreme nature of the material he possessed.
Blackburn, who was married, initially denied any involvement in the offending, claiming ignorance about how the illicit material had come to be on his computer. Despite his protests, the evidence against him was overwhelming. He eventually pleaded guilty to 21 charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children on the day he was scheduled to stand trial last month.
At Leeds Crown Court, the judge considered Blackburn’s case carefully. Prior to sentencing, Blackburn was temporarily detained over the weekend, allowing the court to deliberate on an appropriate punishment. When he appeared in court last Friday, the judge sentenced him to a three-year intensive community order, a measure intended to address and rehabilitate his offending behavior. Additionally, Blackburn was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.
The court acknowledged that Blackburn had no previous criminal record and noted his remorsefulness regarding his actions. His legal representative, Ian Cook, described the prison experience as particularly frightening for Blackburn, emphasizing that the reality of incarceration is far harsher than what is often portrayed on television.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Claire Forder from West Yorkshire Police’s abusive images unit issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the case. She stated, “Today’s sentence sends out the message that individuals who exploit children via the internet will be identified and prosecuted. West Yorkshire Police are committed to tracing such offenders whether within our county or beyond.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from further harm.