PHILLIP CUCKSON FROM CLEOBURY MORTIMER CAUGHT WITH THOUSANDS OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHROPSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Cleobury Mortimer, police uncovered a significant collection of illegal child abuse images on the computer of local resident Phillip Cuckson. The incident unfolded in April 2016 when authorities attended Cuckson’s home on Furlongs Road as part of an unrelated investigation. During the visit, officers noted that Cuckson appeared visibly agitated and was eager to take a hard drive with him, claiming he needed to bring it to work. Recognizing the potential importance of the device, police seized both the hard drive and a computer tower for further examination.

Subsequent analysis revealed a deeply troubling cache of thousands of indecent images and videos depicting children. These files were organized meticulously within a folder system on the hard drive, with separate directories for images of girls and boys. The material ranged in age from as young as four to sixteen years old and was believed to have been accumulated over a period spanning from November 8, 2013, to April 19, 2016. The police investigation uncovered that the computer had been used to access a website from which Cuckson had downloaded a vast number of images, primarily of girls aged between eight and twelve.

Specifically, the police found 214 still images classified as the most serious category, along with 11 videos. In a lesser category, there were 179 images and 11 videos. The lowest category contained a staggering 4,777 still images and 21 videos, illustrating the extent of the material stored on his devices. The court was informed that the images were stored in a well-organized manner, indicating a deliberate effort to manage the illicit content.

Phillip Cuckson, aged 69 and residing at Furlongs Road, appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on October 19, where he admitted to six charges of making indecent photographs of a child. His case was subsequently transferred to Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing. Judge Jim Tindal sentenced Cuckson to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, acknowledging that the defendant had already begun seeking treatment for his troubling interests. The judge emphasized the serious nature of the offense, stating, “The harm in this offence is not simply that it is something that can lead to actual sexual abuse against children. But every image you click on fuels a demand for the sexual abuse of children.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, Cuckson was ordered to complete a 60-day rehabilitation program and perform 100 hours of unpaid community work. He was also subjected to a notification requirement for ten years and placed under a sexual harm prevention order for five years. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay costs of £340 along with a victim surcharge, underscoring the judicial system’s stance on such heinous crimes. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of vigilance within local communities like Cleobury Mortimer.