STEPHEN COWELL FROM BISHPOOL FACES JAIL AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD PORN DISCOVERY IN NEWPORT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Newport community, Stephen Cowell, a 48-year-old resident of Morley Close in Bishpool, was brought before Newport Crown Court to face serious allegations related to the possession of indecent images of children. The charges stem from an investigation that uncovered a staggering collection of illicit material stored on Cowell's devices.

During the court proceedings, Cowell admitted to possessing more than 18,000 indecent images of minors, a revelation that has raised significant concern among local residents and authorities alike. The court heard that Cowell was responsible for creating and maintaining a collection that included 16 counts of making indecent images of children, along with a single count encompassing a total of 18,491 images. Additionally, he was found to possess 468 images classified as extreme pornographic content, further compounding the severity of the case.

The prosecutor, Steve Harmes, detailed that these offences occurred over a period spanning from September 2, 2008, to March 4, 2010. The timeline indicates a prolonged period during which Cowell engaged in the illegal activity, highlighting the extent of the criminal behavior.

Following the guilty plea, Judge Rhys Rowlands decided to release Cowell on conditional bail while awaiting the preparation of pre-sentence reports. The judge emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that the sheer volume and nature of the images, particularly those classified at levels four and five, suggest that custodial sentencing is highly likely. Judge Rowlands stated, “In view of the number of images of levels four and five, custody is going to be inevitable in this case I would have thought.”

As Cowell awaits sentencing scheduled for next month, the community remains deeply troubled by the implications of this case. The authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and the ongoing fight against child exploitation and abuse, especially in local areas such as Bishpool and Newport.