GRANTHAM MAN STEFAN KRASLEV ADMITS TO VIEWING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Grantham, Stefan Krastev, a 26-year-old man originally from Bulgaria, has confessed to viewing child sexual abuse images. The incident came to light after Krastev approached several women on the streets of Grantham, prompting concern among local residents and eventually leading to police intervention.

According to court records, Krastev openly admitted to engaging in morally reprehensible activities, describing them as “bad things” during police interviews. One woman who encountered Krastev reported that he expressed a need to “apologize to all women, and all children,” which raised alarm and prompted authorities to take action. Police officers responded swiftly, visiting Krastev’s residence to assess his welfare and ensure he was not a danger to himself or others.

When officers arrived outside his home, Krastev was observed to be “visibly distressed,” and he subsequently confessed to viewing child abuse images. Concerned about his mental state and the nature of his activities, police conducted a thorough search of his property. During the search, they seized a mobile phone, which was later subjected to detailed analysis.

The examination of Krastev’s phone revealed that he had viewed a total of 198 indecent images of young children. These images were categorized into different levels of severity: 126 images fell into the most serious category, known as Category A, while 63 were classified as Level B, and nine as Level C. The disturbing content highlighted the severity of his actions and the potential harm involved.

In addition to the digital evidence, police found a child's doll and a notebook referencing the “dark web,” suggesting possible further intentions or interests related to illicit activities involving children. Krastev, who was formerly residing on Grantley Street in Grantham, was formally charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. He was arrested on September 13 and subsequently appeared in court to face these charges.

During the hearing, Krastev pleaded guilty to the charges, acknowledging his involvement in creating and viewing illegal images. The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and monitoring. Furthermore, he was issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his access to certain online content and activities. Krastev is also required to register as a sex offender for a period of five years and is prohibited from working with children in any capacity.

Judge Michael Heath, who presided over the case, remarked that Krastev had already served an appropriate prison sentence, implying that his current punishment was sufficient given the circumstances. The judge also noted the unusual and “odd” manner in which the case was brought to light, highlighting the peculiarities surrounding how these disturbing activities were uncovered and reported to authorities.