JOHN LYLE FROM TORQUAY JAILED FOR SHARING SICKENING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES WORLDWIDE
| Red Rose Database
Torquay Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Torquay and the wider region, John Lyle, a 54-year-old man from Salisbury Avenue, was sentenced to prison for his involvement in the distribution and possession of extremely disturbing child abuse images. The offences came to light after a police raid in January 2013, which uncovered a cache of illicit material stored on his computer.
Authorities traced Lyle through his internet provider, leading to the seizure of his devices. During the investigation, officers discovered that he had used two Hotmail email addresses and peer-to-peer file sharing platforms to disseminate over 300 indecent images and videos depicting the most heinous forms of child abuse. Among these were 115 images or movies classified at level four, illustrating adults engaging in sexual acts with children, and 13 at level five, which involved sadism, bestiality, or other extreme acts of depravity.
Further examination of his chat logs revealed conversations with other users, in which Lyle exchanged fantasies about abusing young girls as young as five. The material he shared and received included images and videos showing children being tortured, raped, and subjected to sadistic acts. The police found that he had sent hundreds of these images across the globe via email and peer-to-peer sharing sites, contributing to the proliferation of such material worldwide.
Judge Phillip Wassall presided over the case at Exeter Crown Court, where Lyle pleaded guilty to 12 counts of distributing indecent images of children and 15 counts of making or possessing such images. The judge described the offences as 'extremely serious,' emphasizing the depraved nature of the material involved. He stated, "These offences were extremely serious and showed sexual activity between children and adults right up to sickening and completely depraved images involving torture and other forms of degradation. You engaged in distribution and exchanged fantasies with other people of similar depraved mind sets. You did not do it for money but the most serious aggravating feature is the proliferation of these images through file sharing. Ever time an image is recirculated it perpetuates and emphasises the serious sexual abuse which children were put through to create the images. That is why this is so serious that only immediate custody is justified."
Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst highlighted that the police had seized Lyle’s computers during the raid, revealing the extent of his activities. The evidence showed that he had used peer-to-peer software and email accounts to share these images, which included some of the most extreme forms of abuse. The investigation uncovered chat logs where Lyle discussed sexual acts involving young girls, further underscoring the depravity of his actions.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Barnes argued that there was no commercial element involved and that Lyle’s offending stemmed from an addiction to pornography. He expressed hope that his client would seek treatment to address this issue. Ultimately, Judge Wassall sentenced Lyle to two years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect children from such exploitation.
Authorities traced Lyle through his internet provider, leading to the seizure of his devices. During the investigation, officers discovered that he had used two Hotmail email addresses and peer-to-peer file sharing platforms to disseminate over 300 indecent images and videos depicting the most heinous forms of child abuse. Among these were 115 images or movies classified at level four, illustrating adults engaging in sexual acts with children, and 13 at level five, which involved sadism, bestiality, or other extreme acts of depravity.
Further examination of his chat logs revealed conversations with other users, in which Lyle exchanged fantasies about abusing young girls as young as five. The material he shared and received included images and videos showing children being tortured, raped, and subjected to sadistic acts. The police found that he had sent hundreds of these images across the globe via email and peer-to-peer sharing sites, contributing to the proliferation of such material worldwide.
Judge Phillip Wassall presided over the case at Exeter Crown Court, where Lyle pleaded guilty to 12 counts of distributing indecent images of children and 15 counts of making or possessing such images. The judge described the offences as 'extremely serious,' emphasizing the depraved nature of the material involved. He stated, "These offences were extremely serious and showed sexual activity between children and adults right up to sickening and completely depraved images involving torture and other forms of degradation. You engaged in distribution and exchanged fantasies with other people of similar depraved mind sets. You did not do it for money but the most serious aggravating feature is the proliferation of these images through file sharing. Ever time an image is recirculated it perpetuates and emphasises the serious sexual abuse which children were put through to create the images. That is why this is so serious that only immediate custody is justified."
Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst highlighted that the police had seized Lyle’s computers during the raid, revealing the extent of his activities. The evidence showed that he had used peer-to-peer software and email accounts to share these images, which included some of the most extreme forms of abuse. The investigation uncovered chat logs where Lyle discussed sexual acts involving young girls, further underscoring the depravity of his actions.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Barnes argued that there was no commercial element involved and that Lyle’s offending stemmed from an addiction to pornography. He expressed hope that his client would seek treatment to address this issue. Ultimately, Judge Wassall sentenced Lyle to two years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect children from such exploitation.