STEPHEN SMITH FROM NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME CAUGHT WITH 46,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In June 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Stephen Smith, a man from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who was found to have an extensive collection of illegal and highly disturbing images depicting children. The authorities uncovered that Smith had downloaded a staggering total of 46,071 still images, along with 287 moving images, all of which were of an indecent and exploitative nature involving minors. Additionally, police discovered 19 extreme pornographic images on his computer, further highlighting the severity of his offending.

During the investigation, it was noted that the youngest children depicted in the images appeared to be approximately four years old, underscoring the heinous nature of the material. The case came to light when police executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence, located above the Bulls Head pub in Lad Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on June 13 of the previous year. The search was part of a broader effort to combat online child exploitation and illegal pornography.

Prosecutor David Bennett detailed the findings, explaining that police observed Smith entering his bedroom during the search and noted that he turned off his desktop computer, possibly in an attempt to conceal his activities. A laptop was also recovered from a drawer in the pub’s bar area. The digital devices were subsequently analyzed, revealing a vast collection of illicit images that were mostly easily accessible.

Specifically, the main computer contained 44,491 images classified at level one, with additional images at higher levels indicating increasing severity: 501 at level two, 385 at level three, 642 at level four, and 52 at the most serious level five. The computer also held 47 movies at level one, 46 at level two, 28 at level three, 159 at level four, and seven at level five. The laptop contained two images at level three and three at level four, further emphasizing the extent of his possession of illegal material.

Smith, who is now residing on Victoria Street, Chesterton, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making indecent photographs of children and one charge of possessing extreme pornographic images. His defense attorney, Scott Ashdown, explained that Smith lived alone in the flat above the pub and acknowledged that he had developed an unhealthy and unacceptable interest in such material, which led to his downloading of the images. Mr. Ashdown emphasized that Smith never intended to distribute the images and did not make them available to others.

He further stated that Smith, who has no prior convictions, has already taken steps to reduce the risk of temptation, including not owning a computer or mobile phone. The defense highlighted that Smith would have to live with the stigma of his convictions for the rest of his life.

Judge David Fletcher, presiding over the case at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, decided that sending Smith to prison would not be beneficial, especially if he were to undergo any rehabilitative courses. Instead, he sentenced Smith to a maximum of three years on a community order, which includes supervision, mandatory participation in a community sex offenders’ group work program, and 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, Smith was placed under a sexual offences prevention order, which will remain in effect until further notice, and he will be required to register as a sex offender for seven years. He was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £600.

In his remarks, Judge Fletcher addressed Smith directly, stating, “The pictures you were looking at were not mannequins or dolls, they were human boys. If it wasn’t for people like you, viewing images on the internet, there would be no market for them. It is people like you who are directly responsible for the taking of these sort of images.” The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the serious consequences faced by those involved in such illegal activities.