EXETER TEEN ADMITS DOWNLOADING INDECENT IMAGES OF KIDS WHILE AT WORK
An Exeter teenager who downloaded indecent images of young kids while he was working at a takeaway had his phone seized and must do unpaid community work.Magistrates at Exeter handed a 19-year-old man a community order after he admitted making indecent images of children.
Tye Shapcott, of Briar Crescent, Exeter, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child between February and September 2024.
The court heard that in March 2024 police identified indecent material being uploaded on Snapchat.
A username linked to the account was traced to two addresses, one being Shapcott’s home address and the other a KFC restaurant, where he was employed at the time.
Shapcott was arrested at his home.
His mobile phone was seized, and an examination of the device revealed 20 Category A images, 13 Category B images and eight Category C images.
Some of the images involved children as young as three or four years old.
Prosecuting, Miss Baker told the court that Shapcott initially claimed his account may have been hacked, but later admitted responsibility for the material and said he believed he might have a problem.
The court heard Shapcott has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Jeremy Harris told magistrates that Shapcott was 17 at the start of the offending period and therefore a child in the eyes of the law at that time.
Harris said: “Had this been identified when he was a child it could have been addressed.” Mr Harris said Shapcott is on the autistic spectrum and was isolated and under stress during the period of offending.
He told the court the defendant had shown genuine remorse, insight into his actions and an understanding of the harm caused to young and innocent children.
He added that Shapcott has a very supportive family and is now working in a warehouse.
Magistrates said they took into account that the offending period began while Shapcott was a youth, and considered how the case may have been dealt with had it come before the court sooner.
Shapcott was issued with a community order, including a rehabilitation activity requirement and unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 in costs.
His mobile phone was forfeited, and he was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.
