PAUL ALLEN FROM PLYMSTOCK CAUGHT WITH NEARLY 3,000 CHILD SEX IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Plymstock, Paul Allen, a 48-year-old warehouse worker, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images depicting children. The court heard that Allen had been downloading these illicit images over an eight-month period, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that involved both still photographs and moving images.

According to the proceedings at Plymouth Crown Court, Allen’s actions came to light when police executed a search warrant at his residence on May 15 of the previous year. The authorities uncovered a significant cache of illegal material stored on a USB stick and a computer, with investigators admitting that their investigation was still ongoing and that there was a backlog in examining such devices.

The police discovered a total of 103 still images and five movies classified as Category A, which is designated for the most severe and disturbing material involving the sexual abuse of children as young as five. Additionally, they found 110 stills and 13 movies categorized as Category B, along with a staggering 2,640 images and 12 movies in Category C, which includes less severe but still illegal content. The presence of Category A material underscores the gravity of the offense, as it involves the most explicit and heinous forms of child exploitation.

Further investigation revealed that Allen had actively searched for such material using specific search terms and had accessed images through peer-to-peer file-sharing software. This indicates a deliberate effort to seek out and download illegal content, highlighting the severity of his offending.

During the court hearing, William Parkhill, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, detailed the extent of the evidence against Allen. In response, Geoff Parlby, defending Allen, emphasized that his client had taken steps to address his behavior. He stated that Allen had voluntarily attended a course run by a charity aimed at tackling internet-related sex offending, investing his own time and money into rehabilitation efforts. Mr. Parlby also described Allen as leading an isolated lifestyle and expressed that his actions since the arrest demonstrated genuine remorse.

Despite the seriousness of the charges, Recorder Dunkels sentenced Allen to eight months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. As part of his rehabilitation and monitoring, Allen is required to work closely with probation services to address his offending behavior. Additionally, he must sign the Sex Offender Register for ten years, pay £200 towards prosecution costs, and a victim surcharge of £100. The court’s decision reflects a combination of recognizing the gravity of the crime while also considering Allen’s remorse and efforts to reform.