THOMAS ROWLEY FROM CRESWELL SENTENCED FOR AI-GENERATED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AT NOTTINGHAM CROWN COURT

A man from Creswell, Thomas Rowley, has been sentenced after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images involving children, some of which were generated using artificial intelligence technology. The investigation revealed that Rowley’s devices contained over 1,900 such images, with a significant portion classified as the most severe category of abuse.

Specifically, law enforcement officials found 882 images categorized as Category A, which depict the most serious forms of child exploitation. In addition, there were 532 images classified as Category B and 557 images falling under Category C, all stored across Rowley’s personal devices, including his phone and computer. These images were a combination of those generated artificially based on prompts provided by Rowley and others downloaded from the internet, indicating a deliberate and extensive engagement with illegal material.

Thomas Rowley, aged 43 and residing on Old School Lane in Creswell, pleaded guilty to multiple charges. He admitted to three counts of creating indecent pseudo-photographs of children, with the offenses spanning from January 9, 2021, to January 9, 2024. Additionally, he confessed to possessing 21 prohibited images of children at the time of his arrest on January 9, 2024.

His appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, May 27, resulted in a two-year prison sentence that was suspended, meaning he will not serve time immediately but remains under strict supervision. As part of his sentence, Rowley was subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which imposes rigorous restrictions on his online activities. This order also mandates that he register any devices he uses with the police, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his digital footprint.

Furthermore, Rowley has been placed on the sex offender’s register for the next decade, a measure designed to facilitate ongoing oversight and community safety. The case highlights the serious legal consequences of engaging with child exploitation material, especially when involving advanced technology such as AI to generate illicit images.