COLIN SHIPLEY OF POCKLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ONLINE TRAFFICKING

In October 2012, a disturbing case emerged involving Colin Shipley, a 49-year-old man from Pocklington, who was found to be in possession of an alarming collection of indecent images of children. The investigation revealed that Shipley had amassed a staggering total of 80,000 such images, which he was actively sharing with other paedophiles across the globe.

Authorities executed a search at Shipley's residence on Southfield Road in Pocklington, where they uncovered the extensive cache of illicit material. Further probing uncovered that Shipley had deliberately deleted approximately 75,000 images prior to his arrest, indicating an attempt to conceal his activities. Evidence also showed that he had established a website designed specifically for sharing these disturbing images, facilitating the exchange among a network of users.

Records indicated that the website had attracted 470 registered users, with at least 17 individuals having viewed the photographs. This online platform served as a conduit for the distribution and discussion of child abuse images, highlighting the severity of Shipley's involvement in such criminal activities.

Shipley's criminal history predates this incident, as he previously faced conviction in 2005 for possessing over 400 indecent images of children. Despite this prior conviction, he continued to offend, escalating his activities significantly. At Hull Crown Court, Shipley pleaded guilty to 15 charges related to the making and distribution of indecent images of children.

Judge Mark Bury sentenced Shipley to a three-year prison term, emphasizing the gravity of his repeated offenses. During the sentencing, the judge remarked, “During the period since your last conviction, you began to offend in a greater way than previously. You have been looking at and sharing images with others for a significant period.”

Additionally, Shipley has been mandated to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case was further reinforced by comments from PC Chris Kipling of Humberside Police’s Internet Sex Offenders’ Investigation unit, who stated, “Shipley was using an internet-based file sharing network to trade indecent images of children and discuss the abuse of children with other like-minded individuals. This is Shipley’s second conviction for image-related offenses after being convicted in 2005 for the possession of indecent images of children. We are committed to finding and bringing to justice those who are sexually exploiting children in whatever form using the internet.”