MAIDSTONE MAN JAMES OWEN MULLEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND DISTURBING ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS
| Red Rose Database
Maidstone Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Maidstone, James Owen Mullen, a 23-year-old resident of Bradbourne Way, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The offences, which include 17 counts of possessing and distributing such images along with one charge of obscene communications, were brought to light following a detailed investigation by Kent Police.
Authorities first apprehended Mullen in November 2008 after receiving intelligence from the United States indicating that an individual using an internet address registered in Maidstone was involved in online chats and sharing illicit images of minors. The information prompted a thorough investigation by the Public Protection Crime Unit at Kent Police, which ultimately led to Mullen’s arrest and subsequent charges.
Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Dave Shipley described the extent of Mullen’s activities, stating, “Mullen compiled a sickening collection of indecent images and movies of children. He then made and sent a number of extremely distressing and disturbing messages to a woman whom he had never met, detailing the abuse of a young child.” He emphasized the broader implications of such crimes, noting that “people who collect and distribute child abuse images add to the demand for new images to be created and therefore more children become victims.” The police’s efforts resulted in the removal of a serious offender from the community, and Mullen was brought before the courts to face justice.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Statman addressed Mullen directly, remarking, “You were the adult, you had the ability to choose to press the button on your computer to download and distribute these images.” A search of Mullen’s residence in Maidstone was conducted, during which his computer was seized. Forensic analysis by Kent Police’s Digital Forensic Unit uncovered a total of 379 indecent images of children stored on his device.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Mullen denied having any sexual interest in children. He claimed that he kept the images in an attempt to ‘flush out’ paedophiles and insisted that he had reported such individuals to his internet service provider. However, no evidence was found to support his claim of reporting the images or any related activity. Mullen admitted that he never reported the images to the police, acknowledging his awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions.
His initial arrest took place on November 24, 2008. During the course of the investigation, further evidence emerged, leading to a second arrest on May 28, 2009, at his home on Brabourne Way. Following this, he was formally charged and remanded in custody. The charges also included sending obscene messages via telecommunications, after a member of the public reported receiving offensive MMS and SMS messages from Mullen. These messages, sent to a woman he had contacted through a television dating site, contained disturbing sexual fantasies involving the abuse of a ‘fantasy niece.’
Further disturbing evidence was obtained through voice messages from Mullen’s phone, in which he pretended to abuse a child. The recipient believed these messages to be genuine and subsequently reported Mullen to the police. The remaining charges relate to the collection and distribution of child abuse images over the internet, which Mullen admitted he knew were wrong but claimed his behavior was driven by an addiction.
Detective Superintendent Paul Fotheringham reaffirmed Kent Police’s commitment to combating child exploitation, stating, “Kent Police remains determined to seek out those individuals who abuse children and are engaged in child abuse image offences. We are committed to identifying offenders and bringing them before the courts. There is no excuse for viewing, downloading or searching for images of children suffering abuse. These are images of real children suffering real abuse, and we will continue to work, together with partner agencies, including CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre), to stop this horrific crime.”
Authorities urge anyone with information related to child abuse or exploitation to contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. They also encourage individuals involved in such crimes who wish to seek help to visit the website stopitnow.org, emphasizing the importance of community action in combating this grave issue.
Authorities first apprehended Mullen in November 2008 after receiving intelligence from the United States indicating that an individual using an internet address registered in Maidstone was involved in online chats and sharing illicit images of minors. The information prompted a thorough investigation by the Public Protection Crime Unit at Kent Police, which ultimately led to Mullen’s arrest and subsequent charges.
Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Dave Shipley described the extent of Mullen’s activities, stating, “Mullen compiled a sickening collection of indecent images and movies of children. He then made and sent a number of extremely distressing and disturbing messages to a woman whom he had never met, detailing the abuse of a young child.” He emphasized the broader implications of such crimes, noting that “people who collect and distribute child abuse images add to the demand for new images to be created and therefore more children become victims.” The police’s efforts resulted in the removal of a serious offender from the community, and Mullen was brought before the courts to face justice.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Statman addressed Mullen directly, remarking, “You were the adult, you had the ability to choose to press the button on your computer to download and distribute these images.” A search of Mullen’s residence in Maidstone was conducted, during which his computer was seized. Forensic analysis by Kent Police’s Digital Forensic Unit uncovered a total of 379 indecent images of children stored on his device.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Mullen denied having any sexual interest in children. He claimed that he kept the images in an attempt to ‘flush out’ paedophiles and insisted that he had reported such individuals to his internet service provider. However, no evidence was found to support his claim of reporting the images or any related activity. Mullen admitted that he never reported the images to the police, acknowledging his awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions.
His initial arrest took place on November 24, 2008. During the course of the investigation, further evidence emerged, leading to a second arrest on May 28, 2009, at his home on Brabourne Way. Following this, he was formally charged and remanded in custody. The charges also included sending obscene messages via telecommunications, after a member of the public reported receiving offensive MMS and SMS messages from Mullen. These messages, sent to a woman he had contacted through a television dating site, contained disturbing sexual fantasies involving the abuse of a ‘fantasy niece.’
Further disturbing evidence was obtained through voice messages from Mullen’s phone, in which he pretended to abuse a child. The recipient believed these messages to be genuine and subsequently reported Mullen to the police. The remaining charges relate to the collection and distribution of child abuse images over the internet, which Mullen admitted he knew were wrong but claimed his behavior was driven by an addiction.
Detective Superintendent Paul Fotheringham reaffirmed Kent Police’s commitment to combating child exploitation, stating, “Kent Police remains determined to seek out those individuals who abuse children and are engaged in child abuse image offences. We are committed to identifying offenders and bringing them before the courts. There is no excuse for viewing, downloading or searching for images of children suffering abuse. These are images of real children suffering real abuse, and we will continue to work, together with partner agencies, including CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre), to stop this horrific crime.”
Authorities urge anyone with information related to child abuse or exploitation to contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. They also encourage individuals involved in such crimes who wish to seek help to visit the website stopitnow.org, emphasizing the importance of community action in combating this grave issue.