WHITEHAVEN STUDENT PLACED ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTER FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
A student from west Cumbria who downloaded indecent child images between the ages of 14 and 17 has been placed on the Sex Offender Register.
According to Carlisle Crown Court, an 'external law enforcement agency' alerted Cumbria Police to Matei Lungu's online activities.
His offences occurred from September 2019 to September 2022.
Lungu, aged 19, admitted to three charges of downloading indecent images of children, all in the Whitehaven area.
These images included five category A (most serious) images, thirty category B images, and one category C image.
One of the Category A images depicted a child around six years old.
The images were linked to Lungu through two PayPal payments and an email associated with his address.
Though Lungu had no prior convictions, he was seized devices in October 2022 and police interview occurred in December 2023, with no future issues during that period.
Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Lungu to a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation days, and placed him on the Sex Offender Register for five years.
The judge noted the delay in court proceedings meant the case was heard in an adult court rather than a youth court, influencing sentencing options.
Given his age at the time of offending and the low number of images, a sexual harm prevention order was deemed unnecessary.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
er 2022 and police interview occurred in December 2023, with no future issues during that period. Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Lungu to a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation days, and placed him on the Sex Offender R...
Sex Offenders Register
A student from west Cumbria who downloaded indecent child images between the ages of 14 and 17 has been placed on the Sex Offender Register
Community order
five years
Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Lungu to a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation days, and placed him on the Sex Offender Register for five years
Sex Offenders Register
five years
Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Lungu to a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation days, and placed him on the Sex Offender Register for five years
Court order
Given his age at the time of offending and the low number of images, a sexual harm prevention order was deemed unnecessary
