DANIEL COWELL FIRST APPEARED AT PETERLEE MAGISTRATES COURT
2026-06-24 11:16: A man in possession of child abuse images admitted to having them but denied any sexual interest in minors.According to reports at Durham Crown Court, Daniel Cowell attracted police attention in July 2024 due to his online communications concerning children.
Officers visited his residence in Seaham, detained him, and confiscated various electronic devices for examination.
Prosecutor Imogen Eastham-Brown stated that authorities found 28 indecent images of children, some animated, with half categorized as the most severe, along with an image depicting bestiality within a WhatsApp gallery.
During police interviews, Cowell acknowledged owning the images and using the confiscated devices.
He claimed that the images were sent to him by another online user and insisted he did not request them, denying any sexual interest in children.
The 47-year-old, who turned 47 on June 24 and resides on Parkside Crescent, admitted to possessing an image of extreme pornography.
Following initial denials, he also pleaded guilty last month to three counts of creating indecent images of children.
Helen Towers, representing Cowell, explained that his guilty pleas were entered before the trial was scheduled, which is set for July next year.
She mentioned that Cowell obtained the images over roughly a month in 2024, stating, "There was a relatively small number of images, and it was over a relatively short duration that they were held, between May and July 2024." Towers also highlighted Cowell’s health issues, including lymphoedema requiring ongoing treatment.
Due to his health and need for daily dressings because of circulation problems, she noted he is not fit to work.
She acknowledged that although the Probation Service considers him a high risk of reOffending, Cowell has spent his first 46 years without any previous convictions.
Judge Edward Legard acknowledged that the offences occurred over a few weeks in 2024 and that Cowell claimed the images were sent by another online user.
However, he emphasized that these are not “victimless crimes,” as real children—often vulnerable—endure distressing abuse and are forced to perform degrading acts for sexual gratification.
The judge accepted that Cowell had demonstrated some insight into his behavior and believed he showed genuine remorse.
He sentenced him to 14 months in prison but suspended the sentence for two years, believing society and children would benefit more from supervision by the Probation Service.
As part of the sentence, Cowell must participate in 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Additionally, the judge ordered the confiscation and destruction of the phone and other devices seized from Cowell at his arrest.
--------------------------- 2025-12-05 20:47: daniel cowell appeared at Peterlee Magistrates Court on 2025-08-22 for their first appearance before the court.
daniel cowell faced allegations or charges relating to: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child; Possess extreme pornographic image / images portraying an act of intercourse / oral sex with a dead / alive animal.
The case was listed under reference 11EE0371924.
