BARRY SHAW FROM SOUTHAMPTON FREED AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CASE
A convicted paedophile from Southampton who had fantasized about kidnapping Madeleine McCann has been released after being found with child abuse images.Barry Shaw, 38, argued that imprisonment would jeopardize his place at university.
Shaw was previously jailed in 2012 when authorities discovered the largest collection of extreme indecent images on his laptop.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that he had fantasized about abducting toddler Madeleine McCann and had downloaded thousands of disturbing images depicting acts of child abuse, bestiality, and sadomasochism.
Shaw has since relocated to Southampton, where he was re-arrested by police after officers found he had downloaded an image of a teenage girl dressed in stockings and underwear before moving the file to his laptop's recycle bin.
He was convicted at Southampton Crown Court after admitting to one count of making an indecent photograph of a child.
In his previous sentencing, Shaw was jailed following his obsession with the Madeleine McCann case.
Eve Shelley, representing Shaw, stated that he struggled with 'deep-rooted issues' related to the images and was estranged from his family.
She explained, 'He was failing in his studies, which led to increased low mood and stress.
His way of coping was to access pornography.' Prosecutor Rose Burns indicated Shaw was detained after a search of his property in July last year, during which he was already serving a 24-month community order for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Gary Burrell QC issued a 24-month community order, requiring Shaw to complete 15 days of rehabilitation.
The judge commented, 'Shaw is addicted to porn and has been for some time.
The concerning part is your apparent sexual interest in children, which is a threat to the community and those close to you.' The judge added, 'Here you are again, with a picture of a young girl in a bikini or underwear—illegal material.
Continuing such behavior or accessing these images could ruin your life.' The University of Southampton, part of the Russell Group, declined to comment on Shaw’s case or confirm what he studies.
