ANTHONY LARCOMBE FROM PALMA DE MALLORCA JAILED FOR DISTRIBUTING VILE CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL

In September 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Anthony Larcombe, a retired teacher from Palma de Mallorca, who was convicted of distributing an extensive collection of child abuse images and videos. The severity of his crimes was revealed during a court hearing, where it was disclosed that Larcombe had shared over 1,500 indecent images depicting the abuse of very young children, including infants and toddlers.

Larcombe believed he was communicating with a single mother of a young girl, but in reality, he was interacting with an undercover police officer. Under a false identity, he openly expressed his disturbing preferences, stating, "I’m in my 60s but it doesn’t stop me fantasising about under 12s." He proceeded to send a series of graphic videos and photographs, among which was a distressing image of a two-year-old girl being abused. He also wrote, "baby is the best age to start, I’m absolutely convinced of it," revealing his warped mindset.

Further complicating the case, Larcombe claimed to have been in contact with a nine-year-old girl from Russia who had sent him indecent images. His suspicious behavior raised alarms when the police noted inconsistencies in his statements, especially given his prior criminal history. It was uncovered that Larcombe had been arrested in 2015 at an airport after traveling with the intent to meet a woman to "play with her boys." He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison for distributing indecent images and facilitating a child sex offence.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Larcombe, aged 69, pleaded guilty to the charges of distributing more than 1,500 indecent images. Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced him to three years and four months in prison, with an extended license period of six years and eight months to follow. The judge described his actions as "vile and abhorrent," emphasizing the disturbing nature of the images, which included children subjected to rape and even bestiality. Some images depicted children crying or appearing distressed, highlighting the profound harm inflicted upon the victims.

Judge Clemitson also addressed Larcombe’s warped beliefs, noting that he expressed regret over the arrest of a woman who had created paedophilic images and was involved in an online community that shared such material. Larcombe’s comments to a probation officer revealed a continued lack of understanding of the psychological damage caused to the children in the images. The judge stressed that the harm to these children is "extraordinarily grave," compounded by the fact that such images can circulate indefinitely, perpetuating the trauma.

It was also revealed that Larcombe believed authorities in Spain, where he resided, were not monitoring him as closely as in the UK, which influenced his decision to return to Britain. Upon his return, he was arrested and brought before the court. Judge Clemitson expressed concern over Larcombe’s dangerous beliefs and his previous attempts to act on them, including suggesting that an undercover officer might travel to Spain to meet him. She concluded that neither his past imprisonment nor subsequent efforts had deterred him from reoffending, and she warned that he remains a high risk of causing further harm to children, whether directly or indirectly.