MAN HAD A STASH OF NEARLY 24,000 IMAGES OF CHILDREN BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED
Neil Morris, a man convicted of possessing child abuse images and engaging in online chats with an individual he believed was a minor, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing.The police uncovered that Morris, who is 70 years old, had a large collection of illegal images and videos, totaling 23,853, including violent depictions involving animals.
The court was informed that Morris’s previous conviction in 2010 involved a large number of indecent images, which came to light after a blackmail attempt by a paedophile hunter.
He had been placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to prevent future offences.
Prosecutor Kate Morley stated that more recent police searches conducted at Morris’s home in West Kirby, Wirral, and another residence in Cumbria—where he was caring for an ailing elderly father—led to the discovery of his crimes.
It emerged that Morris engaged in sexually explicit online communication with someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover officer.
A detailed search of his electronic devices uncovered an enormous cache of indecent images, including 855 of the most serious Category A images, along with some extreme images involving animals.
Morris confessed that these images would be found on his laptop, describing his online activity as related to an 'illness.' Investigations revealed that his re-offending began after he found a USB device containing indecent pictures that was previously missed during his 2010 police search.
He described his habit as akin to a collection, calling it a 'library.' His defence counsel, Charles Lander, acknowledged Morris’s guilty pleas and cooperation, indicating that he viewed his actions as rooted in an illness and addiction.
Lander also noted that Morris maintained contact with family members, including his ex-partner and daughter, and that his late father was aware of his illegal activities.
Sentencing Morris, Judge Recorder Ian Harris focused on his possession of the most dangerous images.
He explained that Morris had engaged in these activities over multiple years, from 2017 to 2021, and had attempted to sexually engage with what he believed to be a young girl, making offensive remarks.
The judge remarked on the damaging impact such behaviour has on victims and society, stating that the possession and distribution of such images perpetuate a sick market.
Morris received a sentence of three years and eight months, with half to be served in custody and the rest on licence.
