WALLSEND MAN DANIEL COOPER CAUGHT WITH DISTURBING CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES AND VIDEOS
In December 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Daniel Cooper, a resident of Wallsend, who was found to possess an extensive and sickening collection of child abuse material.The investigation revealed that Cooper had accumulated over 1,500 illicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse over a span of ten years.
These materials were stored across two mobile phones and a laptop, with some of the content being shared online with others.
One of the most shocking pieces of evidence was a video involving a distressed six-month-old baby and an adult male, which was part of the collection.
The revelation of Cooper’s secret came unexpectedly when a friend requested to borrow his iPhone to use Snapchat.
During this casual request, the friend inadvertently accessed Cooper’s camera roll and discovered the disturbing images and videos stored there.
This accidental discovery prompted immediate concern and led to Cooper’s arrest.
Following his arrest, forensic examinations of his two mobile phones and laptop confirmed the presence of the illicit material.
Authorities found that Cooper had not only stored these images but had also distributed some of them to others via social media platforms such as Kik, Google Hangout, and Telegram.
The forensic analysis uncovered a total of 467 items classified as Category A, which included 91 videos, along with 560 items in Category B, including 16 videos, and 556 items in Category C, with four videos.
Additionally, one prohibited image was identified among the collection.
The court proceedings revealed that the material had been amassed over a decade, from 2010 to 2021, and involved children ranging in age from just six months to 16 years old.
Prosecutor Omar Ahmad detailed that Cooper’s actions extended beyond mere possession, as he had actively distributed 13 Category A images and 12 Category C images to others through various social media channels.
Daniel Cooper, aged 34 and described as “morbidly obese,” was charged with three counts of making indecent images of a child, two counts of distributing such images, and one count of possessing a prohibited image.
His address was listed as Atkinson Terrace, Wallsend.
During the court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Cooper pleaded guilty to all charges.
Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to 21 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period.
The judge also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and mandated that Cooper register as a sex offender for the same duration.
In delivering his judgment, Judge Adams emphasized that Cooper’s case met the criteria for a suspended sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes but also considering his circumstances.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children from abuse.
