NAILSWORTH CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATOR MICHAEL KOMARNYCKJ CAUGHT WITH OVER 1,000 ILLEGAL IMAGES OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS
| Red Rose Database
Nailsworth Child Sexual Abuser
In August 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Komarnyckj, a 56-year-old children’s book illustrator residing in Nailsworth. The police uncovered a shocking collection of illegal images stored on his computer, revealing a disturbing pattern of possession involving over 1,000 indecent images of children and bestiality. The investigation was initiated when Komarnyckj accessed a website that was under police surveillance, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.
During the court proceedings at Gloucester Crown Court, Komarnyckj appeared dressed in a dark suit and tie, presenting himself in a composed manner. He admitted to possessing ten charges related to the illegal images, which included a variety of indecent photographs depicting children and animals. The court was informed that his wife was fully aware of his offenses, and despite the gravity of the situation, the couple maintained a stable relationship, emphasizing the personal impact of the case.
As part of his sentencing, Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced Komarnyckj to a 12-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. The judge also ordered him to undergo supervision and participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme, recognizing the need for rehabilitation. Additionally, he was fined £1,000, required to pay £500 in legal costs, and a £100 surcharge was imposed.
Judge Tabor delivered a stern message, stating, “This is a sad day for you. You have brought utter disgrace upon yourself and I suspect huge embarrassment as well – not only for yourself but for your wife and two children.” The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of the images, noting that Komarnyckj was the fifth man in his fifties to appear before the court in recent weeks for similar offenses involving the viewing of such depraved material. The judge expressed concern over the troubling trend of older men seeking sexual gratification through images of children and violence, emphasizing the severity of the crimes.
Prosecutor Julian Kesner detailed the police operation, revealing that officers executed a search warrant at Komarnyckj’s residence, Fir Tree House in Nailsworth. During the raid, authorities seized three computers and a separate hard drive, discovering a total of 982 illegal images. These included 874 images classified at the lowest level of severity (Level 1), along with two at Level 2, thirteen at Level 3, and thirty-three at Level 4, with none at the most serious Level 5. The police also uncovered 177 extreme pornographic images involving animals and 157 prohibited cartoon images, further illustrating the extent of his illegal collection.
When questioned by police, Komarnyckj made frank admissions regarding his possession of these images, indicating a clear awareness of their illegality. His defense lawyer, Mohammed Iqbal, described him as a man of previously good character, with two adult children who were fully aware of his offenses. Iqbal emphasized that Komarnyckj’s family was supportive and working through the difficult situation together. The defendant’s livelihood as a freelance children’s book illustrator was also mentioned, though it was noted that his income was modest, supplemented by seasonal warehouse work.
In delivering his sentence, Judge Tabor acknowledged the challenging process of rehabilitation, stating, “The sex offender programme will not be an easy option for you. You will be going into corners of your psyche into which you would rather not go. It will help you to understand why you require this filth.” The judge underscored the importance of addressing the underlying issues that led to his offending behavior.
On his personal website, Komarnyckj describes his background, stating, “I originally trained as a teacher of art and design but fate being what it is I ended up working as a freelance illustrator and have done for the past 25 years. I still spend my spare time away from my drawing board painting or taking photographs indulging my personal creativity free from the constraints of editors and publishers. I’m lucky enough to live in the Cotswolds, the southern part removed from the chocolate box villages and tourist honey pots most people associate with this area.” This statement starkly contrasts with the serious criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation, highlighting the complex and troubling nature of the case.
During the court proceedings at Gloucester Crown Court, Komarnyckj appeared dressed in a dark suit and tie, presenting himself in a composed manner. He admitted to possessing ten charges related to the illegal images, which included a variety of indecent photographs depicting children and animals. The court was informed that his wife was fully aware of his offenses, and despite the gravity of the situation, the couple maintained a stable relationship, emphasizing the personal impact of the case.
As part of his sentencing, Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced Komarnyckj to a 12-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. The judge also ordered him to undergo supervision and participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme, recognizing the need for rehabilitation. Additionally, he was fined £1,000, required to pay £500 in legal costs, and a £100 surcharge was imposed.
Judge Tabor delivered a stern message, stating, “This is a sad day for you. You have brought utter disgrace upon yourself and I suspect huge embarrassment as well – not only for yourself but for your wife and two children.” The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of the images, noting that Komarnyckj was the fifth man in his fifties to appear before the court in recent weeks for similar offenses involving the viewing of such depraved material. The judge expressed concern over the troubling trend of older men seeking sexual gratification through images of children and violence, emphasizing the severity of the crimes.
Prosecutor Julian Kesner detailed the police operation, revealing that officers executed a search warrant at Komarnyckj’s residence, Fir Tree House in Nailsworth. During the raid, authorities seized three computers and a separate hard drive, discovering a total of 982 illegal images. These included 874 images classified at the lowest level of severity (Level 1), along with two at Level 2, thirteen at Level 3, and thirty-three at Level 4, with none at the most serious Level 5. The police also uncovered 177 extreme pornographic images involving animals and 157 prohibited cartoon images, further illustrating the extent of his illegal collection.
When questioned by police, Komarnyckj made frank admissions regarding his possession of these images, indicating a clear awareness of their illegality. His defense lawyer, Mohammed Iqbal, described him as a man of previously good character, with two adult children who were fully aware of his offenses. Iqbal emphasized that Komarnyckj’s family was supportive and working through the difficult situation together. The defendant’s livelihood as a freelance children’s book illustrator was also mentioned, though it was noted that his income was modest, supplemented by seasonal warehouse work.
In delivering his sentence, Judge Tabor acknowledged the challenging process of rehabilitation, stating, “The sex offender programme will not be an easy option for you. You will be going into corners of your psyche into which you would rather not go. It will help you to understand why you require this filth.” The judge underscored the importance of addressing the underlying issues that led to his offending behavior.
On his personal website, Komarnyckj describes his background, stating, “I originally trained as a teacher of art and design but fate being what it is I ended up working as a freelance illustrator and have done for the past 25 years. I still spend my spare time away from my drawing board painting or taking photographs indulging my personal creativity free from the constraints of editors and publishers. I’m lucky enough to live in the Cotswolds, the southern part removed from the chocolate box villages and tourist honey pots most people associate with this area.” This statement starkly contrasts with the serious criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation, highlighting the complex and troubling nature of the case.