MICHAEL HUDSON FROM THOMAS SENTENCED IN KING’S LYNN FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND EXTREME IMAGES

In September 2014, a man from King’s Lynn, identified as Michael Hudson-Thomas, was sentenced in Norwich Crown Court after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences involving children and the distribution of indecent images. The court heard that Hudson-Thomas, aged 24 and residing on Goodwins Road in King’s Lynn, had engaged in disturbing online activities that escalated from viewing illicit material to actively involving a vulnerable child in a sexual context.

Specifically, Hudson-Thomas confessed to arranging for a child, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to legal restrictions, to be present in a room where a webcam was set up. During this time, an individual, suspected to be a paedophile, carried out a sexual act in front of the child, with Hudson-Thomas suspected of facilitating or encouraging the situation. The offences took place between June and December of the previous year, marking a significant escalation in his criminal behaviour, as noted by Judge Katharine Moore during sentencing.

Judge Moore emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that Hudson-Thomas’s actions “marked a step up in the seriousness of your offending” from merely viewing harmful material to involving a child victim in a sexual act. She further warned that Hudson-Thomas “presents a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm,” underscoring the dangerous nature of his conduct.

In addition to the incident involving the child, Hudson-Thomas admitted to possessing and distributing indecent images of children, including extreme content. The court was informed that he did not have a large collection of such images, but the material he possessed was described as “quite small all be it quite extreme.”

During the proceedings, Mark McDonald, representing the defendant, argued that there was no evidence to suggest that the child involved was approached, groomed, or aware of what was happening, asserting that the child was not affected by the events. McDonald acknowledged that Hudson-Thomas’s online conversations contained explicit and dark discussions but maintained that these were fantasies enacted within the privacy of his own bedroom, with no evidence of grooming or exploitation of others.

It was also revealed that Hudson-Thomas had been sexually abused twice as a child, including once while in local authority care, by an older individual who was also in care. This background was considered during sentencing.

As part of his punishment, Hudson-Thomas was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which restricts his access to devices capable of storing images unless they are available for police inspection. The SOPO remains in effect until further notice and will also be maintained on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Following the case, Detective Constable Mark Stratford of King’s Lynn CID, who led the investigation, commented on the severity of the offences. He described the case as “one of the worst I have ever seen,” highlighting Hudson-Thomas’s use of technology to distribute highly pornographic images, some at the highest end of the offence scale. Stratford emphasized the disturbing nature of the case, noting that it reflected a broader pattern of unacceptable internet usage and online fantasies.

He concluded by sending a strong message to those involved in possessing and distributing such images, reminding the public that behind every image is a victim of abuse, and underscoring the importance of vigilance and enforcement in combating these crimes.