RICHARD LEES FROM DIBDEN SENTENCED FOR MASSIVE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE COLLECTION

In a case that has shocked the local community of Dibden, Richard Lees, a 45-year-old resident of The Orchard in Dibden, has been found guilty of possessing an extensive collection of indecent images of children. The investigation revealed that Lees had been involved in this disturbing activity for approximately three decades, amassing over half a million images, a figure that underscores the severity and duration of his offending.

On June 4, 2020, authorities executed a search warrant at Lees’ residence, leading to the seizure of multiple electronic devices. The police operation was conducted by Winchester Crown Court, which heard that only a desktop computer and a mobile phone were examined during the investigation. Despite this limited analysis, the police uncovered a troubling number of illicit images: 11 categorized as Category B, and a staggering 58,489 categorized as Category C. However, the true extent of Lees’ collection remains uncertain, as over 500,000 images remained uncategorized due to resource constraints, with police unable to download and analyze all of them.

Further investigation revealed that Lees was actively using BitTorrent technology to access and download these images, accumulating approximately three terabytes of data. Police found evidence that Lees repeatedly searched for similar terms and even admitted to searching for the same faces multiple times, indicating a persistent and deliberate pattern of seeking out such material.

During the court proceedings, Recorder Power expressed grave concern over Lees’ attitude, noting that he showed no remorse and believed that the children depicted in the images were not being abused but were models. The judge emphasized the danger posed by such a mindset, highlighting the potential for continued offending and the harm inflicted on victims.

Lees had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent photographs of children. In sentencing, he received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. Additionally, he is required to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, attend 20 days of rehabilitation programs, and participate in the Horizon program, aimed at addressing offending behavior. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the possession and distribution of child abuse images, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such crimes.