NOTTINGHAM MAN WITH NEARLY 17,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES JAILED
A man identified as Lucas Banton, aged 23, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after being found with nearly 17,000 indecent images of children.Banton came to the attention of Nottinghamshire Police when an email address linked to him was used to upload two indecent videos of children online.
Officers visited his home in February 2023 and seized two electronic devices for investigation, uncovering 60 images and videos depicting the most serious sexual offences against children.
Further examination revealed a total of 17,000 indecent images on his mobile phone.
Banton pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent images of children and was subsequently jailed.
Additionally, Banton admitted to one count of assault on an emergency worker.
Det Con Peter Chappell from Nottinghamshire Police's internet child exploitation team stated, "Behind every one of these images is a real child somewhere in the world who has endured the most appalling sexual, physical and emotional abuse." He emphasized that each child has had their childhood stolen and will carry lifelong physical and emotional scars.
The officer also warned that individuals like Banton who consume such material are contributing to this suffering and cautioned that such behavior often results in prison sentences, serving as a warning to others.
