STEPHEN ARMSTRONG JAILED IN CLEETHORPES FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDECENT IMAGES
In May 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Stephen Armstrong, a 49-year-old former Royal Navy serviceman, who was convicted of serious crimes related to child exploitation and the distribution of indecent images.Armstrong, a resident of Bentley Street in Cleethorpes, had a lengthy career working in information technology for 18 years before his arrest.
His criminal activities included attempting to communicate with children under the age of 16 for sexual gratification and sharing explicit images and messages with minors as young as eight years old.
Humberside Police executed a search warrant at Armstrong’s residence in Cleethorpes, during which they seized his iPhone 7.
The investigation revealed that Armstrong had deliberately concealed two applications within a calculator app—these apps provided access to paedophile sites and messaging platforms used for illicit communication.
Forensic analysis of the device uncovered a significant volume of messaging activity, amounting to approximately 359 pages of exchanged messages, which indicated a relentless pattern of contact with young children.
Prosecutor Jeremy Evans detailed the extent of Armstrong’s misconduct, stating, “There was a plethora of messages which amounts to 359 pages (A4) paper.
It was constant bombardment of messages which were reciprocated.” The offences spanned from September 2017 to May of the following year, highlighting a sustained period of predatory behaviour.
Further investigation, including intelligence from the National Crime Agency, pinpointed an address linked to Armstrong where sexualized conversations with young girls took place.
The police found that Armstrong used Kik Messenger and another app to contact his victims, with recipients ranging in age from 12 to 15 years old.
During these exchanges, he sent adult pornography, photographs of his genitalia, and engaged in sexually explicit conversations.
The messages also included disturbing discussions about the sexual abuse of children, which Evans described as “vulgar and depraved.” Most of the images shared were distributed internationally, with a particular focus on contacts in the United States.
One 13-year-old girl was contacted regularly throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning.
In another disturbing exchange, Armstrong asked a 12-year-old girl if she liked older men, and he even proposed to meet her in Aldershot, suggesting she could bring her 11-year-old sister along.
Although the number of images distributed was relatively low, two of them were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of indecency.
Armstrong’s solicitor, Craig Lowe, told the court that his client had been “candid and honest” during interviews.
It was also revealed that Armstrong has two children and four grandchildren.
His legal representative emphasized that Armstrong was “disgusted with himself,” acknowledging the distress caused to his family and the shame he had brought upon them.
During sentencing, Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC condemned Armstrong’s actions, stating that his behaviour contributed to the global market of child sexual abuse and the suffering it inflicts.
Armstrong was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed, restricting him from being in the company of children under 16 and limiting his internet use, which will be closely monitored by authorities to prevent further offending.
