LEE FOX FROM ASHBOURNE SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN DERBYSHIRE AND ASHBOURNE

In September 2020, Lee Fox, a resident of Ashbourne, faced serious criminal charges after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of child abuse images stored on his mobile device. The case revealed a troubling pattern of offending that had begun years earlier, with Fox having previously been convicted in December 2018 for possessing a vast number of illicit images and videos involving children.

Back in December 2018, Fox, then aged 30, was found to have more than 7,000 child abuse images, including 1,630 classified as the most severe and depraved category. The police investigation uncovered that Fox possessed a Spanish manual titled “How to Practice Child Love,” which explicitly instructed users on how to access and exploit children for sexual abuse. The evidence was recovered from his laptop and other electronic devices, revealing a disturbing collection of videos, some depicting children as young as three being abused. One particularly heinous film was titled “three-year-old with grandpa,” highlighting the severity of the material he possessed.

During the police raid on his home in Mayfield Road, Ashbourne, officers found Fox attempting to reconfigure his mobile phone to erase evidence and cover his tracks. Despite his efforts, investigators managed to analyze his devices, discovering the manual and over 7,120 indecent images, including 1,630 of the most serious category. The police also found that Fox had shared links to indecent images with two other individuals, using a false identity to conceal his involvement. The images and videos showed girls as young as ten being abused, with some of the material being distributed via his phone, which was used illicitly.

In court, Fox admitted to possessing and distributing indecent images, as well as breaching a sexual harm prevention order previously imposed on him. Prosecutor Eddie Leonard detailed the extent of Fox’s offending, emphasizing the depravity of the material and the seriousness of his actions. Fox pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including three of making indecent images, one of possessing the paedophile manual, and one of theft. The court heard that he had used a fake name during his online activities, further complicating his case.

Judge Shaun Smith, who presided over the case, sentenced Fox to 14 months in prison for his earlier offenses in 2018. The judge described the case as involving “a sinister element,” noting the explicit manual and the nature of the images as “the most depraved kind.”

Fast forward to August 2020, Fox was again in court, this time facing new charges related to his continued possession and distribution of child abuse images. The police had seized a mobile phone from his residence, which contained thousands of images across all categories of severity—A, B, and C. The court was told that Fox had shared links to indecent images with two individuals, using a false identity to hide his involvement. The police also found that Fox had used an “old phone” solely for downloading and viewing these illicit images.

During the police interview, Fox fully admitted to the charges, which included making indecent images, distributing them, and breaching the sexual harm prevention order. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children. The court heard that Fox had used a different name in online communications and had shared a “storage box” containing indecent images.

In light of the evidence, Recorder Kevin Hegarty QC sentenced Fox to an immediate custodial term of 44 months. The judge emphasized the gravity of Fox’s offenses, stating that only a custodial sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing risk he posed to children. Additionally, Fox was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his future online activity and contact with minors.

Overall, the case highlights the disturbing extent of child exploitation and the importance of rigorous law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes. Fox’s repeated offenses and the nature of the material he possessed underscore the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the distribution and possession of child abuse images.