BARRY OWEN FROM WIRRAL CAUGHT WITH OVER 11,000 CHILD SEX IMAGES BUT ESCAPES PRISON

In a case that has shocked the community of Wirral, Barry Owen, a 40-year-old resident of Pickmere Drive in New Ferry, was found to have downloaded an alarming number of indecent images of children, totaling approximately 11,238 files. Despite the severity of his actions, Owen was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment but received a suspended jail term after a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, described the images as “outrageous,” emphasizing the disturbing nature of the material involved. The judge pointed out that some of the images, particularly those in the most serious category, were “horrifying,” depicting very young children being tied up and subjected to abuse. These descriptions underscored the gravity of the offenses committed by Owen.

The court was informed that police had conducted a raid on Owen’s residence in August 2012, during which his computer was seized for forensic analysis. The investigation revealed a disturbing collection of images stored on his device. The forensic examination uncovered a total of 10,396 images in the lowest category, 435 in the next level of seriousness, and 207 in the most severe category, which involved the most disturbing content.

Prosecutor Rebecca Smith outlined the charges against Owen, which included 13 counts of making indecent images, one count of possessing such images, one count of possessing extreme pornography, and one count of possessing a prohibited image. Owen admitted to the charges, acknowledging his involvement with the material found on his computer.

During the hearing, Trevor Parry-Jones, representing Owen, highlighted that his client had no previous criminal record and had been employed in a good job prior to these offenses. He explained that Owen’s interest in viewing such images began after his relationship ended, which contributed to a decline in his mental health. Since his arrest, Owen had actively sought help for his issues and had undertaken rehabilitative courses aimed at addressing his behavior.

In sentencing, Judge Menary imposed a 10-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. Owen was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and to be under supervision for the same period. Additionally, he was required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that restricted his internet access, aiming to prevent further offenses.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding the possession and distribution of child exploitation material, and the court’s decision reflects a balance between punishment and the recognition of Owen’s efforts to seek help and rehabilitate.