IVYBRIDGE PAEDOPHILE MATTHEW HOPKINS SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND VOYEURISM IN DEVON

In October 2018, the true extent of Matthew Hopkins' disturbing criminal activities was revealed in Truro Crown Court, following a series of guilty verdicts on multiple charges related to child abuse, indecent images, and voyeurism. Hopkins, a 31-year-old former PCSO and cub scout leader from Ivybridge in Devon, had previously been convicted of indecent assault on a boy, but the recent trial uncovered a far more sinister pattern of behavior.

During the proceedings, prosecutor Gareth Evans detailed how Hopkins had been involved in activities that betrayed the trust placed in him by young victims and the community. The case was initially under a reporting restriction, preventing any public disclosure until the verdicts were reached. Now, with the jury's unanimous decisions, authorities have been able to expose the full scope of Hopkins' depravity.

Opening the case on Monday, October 29, Mr. Evans explained that Hopkins had assisted with a cub scout group, which provided him access to children. The investigation was triggered after allegations of sexual assault surfaced, leading police to search Hopkins' residence in December 2016. During the search, officers seized a custom-built tower computer and a laptop, both belonging to Hopkins. Forensic analysis revealed that these devices contained approximately 1,300 items identified as potentially indecent.

The images discovered depicted children as young as one or two years old being subjected to sexual acts, including anal rape, and having their genitalia exposed. Among the disturbing content was an image showing a woman engaging in oral sex with a bear. The police found that all indecent images were stored under the username 'Matt,' despite the presence of four user profiles on each device. Search histories indicated that Hopkins had actively searched for preteen boys and other content that clearly indicated a sexual interest in children.

In addition to the images, the court heard about voyeuristic recordings made by Hopkins. A total of 29 videos were recorded in a bathroom, capturing boys going to the toilet and, in some cases, masturbating. It is believed that a camera was concealed in the ceiling of the room, with one teenage boy noticing a small hole near a light fitting but not realizing its purpose at the time.

Hopkins' prior conviction for indecent assault involved a 12-year-old boy. The court was told that after the assault, Hopkins behaved as if nothing had happened, showing a complete lack of remorse. The judge, Simon Carr, emphasized the betrayal of trust and the impact on the victim, who was left traumatized and unable to comprehend the assault at the time.

Judge Carr detailed Hopkins' extensive criminal history, noting that he had been involved in a cub scout group and later became a PCSO in his early 20s. The judge condemned Hopkins for his calculated efforts to conceal his activities, including installing peer-to-peer software to download and store thousands of child abuse images secretly. The images depicted the rape and gang rape of very young children, some as young as two years old.

Addressing Hopkins directly, Judge Carr stated that his actions were driven by a business-like approach to child exploitation, and he showed an entrenched, lifelong sexual interest in young boys. Despite being of previous good character, the judge highlighted that these offenses began in Hopkins' early 20s and persisted over many years.

As a result, Hopkins was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for the multiple offenses. Additionally, he was placed under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, marking a significant step in safeguarding the community from further harm.