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 images on the computer of local resident Phillip Cuckson. The incident unfolded in April 2016, when authorities attended Cuckson’s home on Furlongs Road in relation to an unrelated matter. During the visit, officers observed 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 for criminal activity, the police seized the hard drive along with 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 also discovered that on the morning of the seizure, the computer had been used to access a website from which numerous images had been downloaded, predominantly featuring 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 still 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 Cuckson’s device.

Phillip Cuckson, aged 69, 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, where he faced 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 behavior. The court also ordered Cuckson to complete a 60-day rehabilitation program and perform 100 hours of unpaid community service.

Furthermore, Cuckson was placed under a notification requirement for ten years, meaning he must register with authorities regarding his personal details and activities. He was also issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his contact with minors and related activities. The judge emphasized the gravity 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 custodial and rehabilitative measures, Cuckson was ordered to pay costs amounting to £340, along with a victim surcharge, as part of the court’s efforts to address the severity of his crimes and the impact on victims and society at large.