MAN JAILED FOR DOWNLOADING 'PAEDOPHILE MANUAL' AND THOUSANDS OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
Update: In 2023, Ross Clifford, aged 44, pleaded guilty to two charges related to animal welfare violations after authorities discovered him keeping injured birds and hedgehogs in unhygienic containers devoid of food and water.The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) prosecuted him.
Inspectors responded to the residence on October 14, 2022, following reports of dead and dying animals on the premises.
A veterinarian examined the animals under Clifford’s care and found neglect of various species.
Among the findings was a severely injured pigeon housed in a wicker basket lined with heavily soiled newspaper, lacking access to food, water, or a perch.
Another bird was kept inside a bedroom wardrobe.
A juvenile wood pigeon was discovered inside a foldable crate, lined with a towel stained with dried and fresh faeces.
Hedgehogs were also kept in deplorable conditions.
Two hedgehogs, characterised by their spiny appearance, were found in a collapsible crate filled with shredded newspaper and moldy food, appearing lethargic and immobile.
One hedgehog had to be euthanised due to injuries deemed unsurvivable and dehydration.
It was found in a hamster cage emitting a strong smell of stale urine, with no access to food or water.
A second hedgehog was discovered in a plastic cat carrier, dehydrated with sunken eyes and pale mucous membranes.
Inspector Miranda Albinson, investigating on behalf of the charity, stated: ‘Injured wildlife kept in captivity depends entirely on humans to meet their needs.
Sadly, this was not the case here.’ Clifford appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates Court on March 28, where he explained that his care was well-intentioned but lacked competence.
He admitted that he had established a wildlife rescue at his home but was unable to adequately care for the animals, acknowledging that his facilities did not meet proper standards.
Currently serving a sentence unrelated to this case in Winchester HMP, Clifford was given a 12-week sentence to run concurrently with his existing imprisonment.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A disturbingly perverse individual, Ross Clifford, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing a horrifying collection of child abuse images and literature.
Clifford, a 40-year-old resident of Toronto Road in the Fratton area of Portsmouth, was found to have downloaded a ‘paedophile manual’ which contained graphic instructions on how to abuse children, including infants.
Authorities also discovered thousands of indecent photographs depicting the sexual abuse of minors, some of whom were as young as two years old.
Clifford appeared via video link from Winchester prison during the court proceedings at Portsmouth Crown Court, where his silence contrasted starkly with the severity of the charges read aloud.
The court was informed that his offences included the illegal downloading of a manual with vile diagrams that detailed how to molest children, alongside a large collection of illegal images and videos.
Judge David Melville QC addressed the court, emphasising the gravity of Clifford’s actions.
He remarked, “One cannot really have a more serious catalogue of offences before the court, particularly considering that you were before this court in the latter part of 2017 for similar crimes.” He further condemned Clifford’s knowledge of the abuse inflicted upon children, stating, “You must be aware of how the children in these films are harmed.
If it weren’t for individuals like you accessing this material, these children would not have been subjected to such suffering.” The judge highlighted the long-lasting impact this abuse would have on the victims, describing the trauma as ‘disgusting’ and acknowledging that the distress experienced by the children would likely persist throughout their lives.
Following a police raid of Clifford’s address on February 12, law enforcement officials seized various electronic devices, including computers and mobile phones.
Examination of this equipment revealed an extensive collection of unlawful material.
The authorities uncovered 1,195 images categorised as A considered the most serious along with 786 Category B images and 3,001 Category C images.
The investigation also uncovered 221 Category A videos depicting children being sexually assaulted, alongside 56 Category B and 13 Category C videos depicting similar abuse.
Additionally, law enforcement discovered a detailed 25-page paedophile manual containing distasteful diagrams illustrating how to commit child abuse.
Addressing the most extreme violations, Judge Melville stated, “The images show penetration involving children as young as two years old, which is among the worst types.” Ross Clifford’s criminal history was not overlooked, as he had previously received a conviction for similar offenses in 2017, which resulted in an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years.
Despite this prior conviction, Clifford’s actions in this case reflected a continued pattern of depravity.
During sentencing, attorney Karen Walton acknowledged Clifford’s acceptance of his crimes and urged the court to consider imposing a community sentence coupled with specialised treatment programs instead of immediate imprisonment.
She expressed, “He has recognised his behaviour and admits that he needs help.
This is an extremely upsetting and devastating offence for the victims involved.
The difficulty is that sentencing alone may not eliminate the risk when he is released.” However, Judge Melville dismissed these pleas, stating that such leniency was inappropriate given the severity of Clifford’s offences.
He sentenced Ross Clifford to serve four years and three months in prison.
Clifford is expected to serve half of this sentence before potentially being released on license, following the standard procedures for serious sexual offences against children in the United Kingdom.
