RAYMOND STEVENSON FROM MACKWORTH CAUGHT WITH OVER 2,100 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN DERBY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Raymond Stevenson, a pensioner residing in Mackworth, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images depicting young boys. The incident came to light in January 2018 when police uncovered a significant cache of illicit material on his personal laptop, revealing a disturbing pattern of offending that spanned approximately five years.

Derby Crown Court was informed that the images and videos, totaling 2,103 in number, were downloaded over a period of just five months earlier that year. Among these, more than 550 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse. The authorities also discovered a series of concerning emails sent by Stevenson to other individuals involved in similar illicit activities, in which he openly discussed his sexual preferences and interests. These communications added further weight to the evidence against him.

During the investigation, detectives found that Stevenson had attempted to conceal his activities by removing some of the material from his device, but analysis of his laptop revealed the full extent of his offending. The police also uncovered search terms related to young boys, some as young as eight years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of his interests. The investigation revealed that the images included a mixture of categories, with 537 classified as Category A, 386 as Category B, and 1,138 as Category C. Additionally, 42 prohibited images, which typically involved animated depictions of minors engaged in sexual acts, were also found.

Stevenson, aged 67, admitted to the police that he had been actively seeking out and viewing such images for around five years. His home, located on Hounslow Road, was raided early in the morning on August 22, following intelligence that his internet activity involved the downloading of indecent images. During police interviews, Stevenson confessed to the possession and viewing of these images, acknowledging his actions and the disturbing nature of his interests.

Prosecutor Katrina Wilson described the extent of the material found, emphasizing that the sheer volume of images could not all be classified due to their number. She also highlighted that Stevenson had taken steps to hide his activities from others, removing some images from his computer to avoid detection. The court was told that Stevenson had no prior criminal record and that he expressed remorse for his actions.

In sentencing, Recorder Adrian Reynolds acknowledged the severity of the offences but also considered Stevenson’s age, lack of previous convictions, and the potential for rehabilitation. He handed Stevenson an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to participate in an intensive sex offenders programme. The judge emphasized the importance of understanding the harm caused by such offending and the need for rehabilitation.

Furthermore, Stevenson was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be registered as a sex offender for the same period. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.