JONATHAN ATKINSON CAUGHT IN CARLISLE CHILD IMAGE SCANDAL

A man from Carlisle has been brought before the courts and prosecuted for possessing and downloading a significant number of indecent images of children, including a disturbing video involving a two-year-old victim. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and the serious consequences faced by offenders.

According to magistrates at Rickergate Court in Carlisle, 28-year-old Jonathan Atkinson, who resides on Hartley Avenue, was found to have accumulated a total of 71 illegal images on his electronic devices. These images were categorized into different levels of severity, with the most serious being 32 Category A images, which include the aforementioned video of a very young child being abused. In addition to these, Atkinson admitted to downloading 20 images classified as Category C and 19 images categorized as Category B. All these offences took place over a span of more than two years, from February 2021 through May 2023.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson explained that the investigation was initiated after external law enforcement agencies contacted Cumbria Police regarding the case. During a police raid at Atkinson’s residence, officers seized multiple devices, including two iPhones, a Samsung mobile phone, and a computer. Some of the illicit images were stored directly on the iPhones, while others had been uploaded to a cloud-based internet account, making the investigation more complex.

Analysis of the images accessed by Atkinson revealed that the youngest victims depicted were approximately two years old, with some images involving children who appeared to be no older than infants. Mrs. Jackson emphasized the disturbing nature of the material, which underscores the severity of the offences committed.

In court, Chris Toms, representing Atkinson, stated that he would not burden the court with an explanation for his client’s actions. However, he acknowledged that Atkinson had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had cooperated fully with the Probation Service. Toms argued that imprisonment would serve no constructive purpose and would only cause further harm to Atkinson’s personal life and financial stability.

While noting Atkinson’s previously good character, the magistrates recognized the gravity of the offences. They concluded that only a custodial sentence could adequately reflect the seriousness of the crimes. Nevertheless, they suspended a one-year jail term for two years, provided that Atkinson complies with certain conditions. These include completing 15 days of rehabilitation activities with the Probation Service, performing 90 hours of unpaid work, remaining on the Sex Offender Register for ten years, and being subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

Concluding the sentencing, the presiding magistrate expressed hope that there was a genuine possibility that Atkinson would not reoffend, emphasizing the importance of ongoing supervision and rehabilitation efforts to prevent future offences.