STEVEN FREEMAN BELLINGHAM PAEDOPHILE GROUP LEADER JAILED FOR CHILD RAPE DRAWINGS AND INDECENT MATERIAL

Steven Freeman, a man known for his leadership role within a notorious paedophile organization, has been sentenced to prison for possessing a vast collection of indecent images, films, and drawings depicting children. The conviction marks a significant milestone as Freeman became the first individual to be found guilty of creating drawings that depict children being subjected to sexual assault.

Freeman, aged 56, admitted to charges related to approximately 3,000 drawings found at his residence in Bellingham, located in south London. The court heard that these images included highly disturbing and explicit depictions of children in sexual scenarios. The Old Bailey heard that Freeman's actions involved not only the possession but also the distribution of such material, which police described as among the most heinous they had encountered.

He was sentenced to an indeterminate term for public protection, with a minimum term of 30 months. The charges against him included possession of indecent images, creation of prohibited drawings, distribution of indecent material, and failure to disclose the password to an encrypted computer. The police investigation uncovered approximately 14,500 images and videos stored on computer disks at Freeman’s home and at the addresses of two other individuals linked to his paedophile ring.

Authorities believe that there are tens of thousands more images stored on encrypted hard drives, which they have been unable to access due to encryption barriers. During the investigation, detectives from the Child Abuse Command also discovered computer games designed to facilitate the abuse of children, with some games allowing players to attempt to abuse as many children as possible.

In addition to Freeman, three other men involved in the ring received prison sentences on the same day. John Morrison, aged 44 from Putney in south-west London, was sentenced to 24 months after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images and failing to disclose his computer password. John Parratt, 63, also from Putney and a former vice chairman of Pie, was sentenced to 12 months after being convicted of possessing indecent images. Parratt was also known by the alias Warren Middleton.

Barry Cutler, aged 60 from Beckenham in south-east London, admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images and failing to provide his computer password, resulting in a 15-month sentence. Leo Adamson, 49, from Vauxhall in south London, a former executive member of Pie, was found guilty of failing to disclose his computer password and was sentenced to one year in prison at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Mark Gadsden told the court that these individuals were part of a network where they would regularly meet at Freeman’s residence to view and share images of children, particularly boys. Some of the images had been burned onto discs for later viewing by members of the ring, highlighting the organized and deliberate nature of their activities.

During a police raid in July 2008, authorities discovered more than 5,000 images on three disks at the shared residence of Morrison and Parratt. The judge, Recorder Oliver Sells, emphasized Freeman’s central role in this network, stating, “You were at the centre of this network intent upon possessing and distributing serious forms of indecent material.”

Detective Inspector Paul Maddocks expressed satisfaction with the convictions, stating, “I am delighted with these convictions which have seen five individuals who pose a significant threat to society convicted and held accountable for the most serious of crimes.” The case was described by Scotland Yard as a landmark, especially under the 2009 Coroners and Justice Act, which included provisions for prosecuting sketches and drawings related to child abuse.