MICHAEL COBB FROM WARRINGTON CAUGHT WITH CHILD RAPE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Warrington community, Michael Cobb, a 37-year-old resident of Bevin Avenue, was found to be in possession of nearly 200 indecent images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.The police raid on Cobb’s home in Culcheth, Warrington, took place on December 12, 2019, marking the beginning of a lengthy investigation into his activities.
During the raid, officers seized multiple electronic devices, including a desktop computer, an Apple MacBook, and an Apple iPhone 10.
When questioned on the same day, Cobb admitted to officers that he had come across files with names suggestive of child abuse material while browsing the internet.
He confessed to opening and viewing these files but claimed to have deleted them afterward.
Despite his admissions, he was released under investigation while forensic analysis of his devices was carried out.
However, the process of examining the devices was delayed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a backlog of cases and forensic examinations.
When the analysis was finally completed, it revealed a disturbing collection of 199 indecent images and videos involving children.
Among these, 53 videos and 21 photos were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse, including child rape.
Additionally, there were 14 photos and 20 videos categorized as Category B, along with 66 images and 25 videos in Category C.
Police also discovered one video and one photo depicting extreme pornography involving animals, as well as three prohibited images of children.
Further investigation uncovered that Cobb had conducted online searches between March 2016 and October 2019 on websites known for hosting child abuse material.
Two USB sticks used for backups were also seized, containing easily accessible indecent images involving children as young as five years old.
These devices indicated that Cobb had stored and possibly viewed this material multiple times.
In September 2021, Cobb was interviewed again by police, during which he tearfully admitted that he had viewed the indecent images for his own sexual gratification.
His guilty pleas to multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images, possession of prohibited images, and possession of extreme pornography involving animals, were entered at the earliest opportunity.
Howard Jones, representing Cobb, highlighted his client’s lack of prior convictions, his remorse, and his cooperation with authorities.
Jones emphasized that Cobb was ‘ashamed’ of his actions and ‘hates himself’ for his behavior.
He requested that the court consider a community order rather than immediate imprisonment.
However, presiding Judge David Potter acknowledged the severity of the case, noting that the material found was among the worst examples of child abuse, including images of toddlers as young as three being raped by adult men.
The judge expressed concern over the significant delay in bringing the case to sentencing, which he described as ‘unacceptable,’ but also recognized Cobb’s remorse and potential for rehabilitation.
Ultimately, Judge Potter sentenced Cobb to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Cobb was also ordered to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activities, undertake 150 hours of unpaid work, and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Additionally, he was required to sign the sex offender register for ten years, and the five devices seized during the police raid were ordered to be confiscated and destroyed.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from such heinous crimes.
