DARREN WARREN FROM EXMOUTH CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES HIDDEN IN BATHROOM SECRET COMPARTMENT

In April 2017, authorities uncovered a disturbing case involving Darren Warren, a resident of Exmouth, who attempted to conceal a significant collection of illegal child abuse images. The investigation revealed that Warren had hidden his laptop within a secret compartment behind his bathroom panel, an effort to prevent police from discovering the illicit material during a search.

Warren, aged 47 and residing on Richmond Road in Exmouth, had a troubling history of similar offenses. He was previously convicted 15 years earlier for possessing child abuse images and had taken measures to erase evidence from his current device by installing specialized software designed to scrub data. Despite his efforts to hide his activities, police found the hidden laptop after a search of his home in July of the same year.

The police found that Warren had downloaded a total of 42 images and videos, including ten classified as Category A, which depict children engaged in sexual acts with adults. Among the disturbing content was an extreme image involving a dog, and search terms such as 'Lolita' and 'jailbait' were used during his online activity. Authorities believed that Warren used cleaning software and diverted his downloads to an external drive to evade detection.

Warren admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of creating an extreme image involving bestiality. He explained to the court that his recent re-engagement with such material was driven by emotional distress following the recent death of his mother. His response to the police investigation was considered by the court, as he enrolled in a course run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to addressing sexual offending behavior.

At Exeter Crown Court, Recorder Mr. Martin Meeke, QC, sentenced Warren to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He also ordered Warren to participate in the Horizon sex offenders’ treatment program and complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, Warren was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

The judge highlighted that Warren’s previous conviction in 2002 for possessing 12 counts of child abuse images was a serious aggravating factor. However, he acknowledged Warren’s remorse and efforts toward reform, noting his participation in the rehabilitation course as a positive sign. The court emphasized that the discovery of the devices behind the bathroom panel was a clear indication of Warren’s awareness of the illegality of his actions, yet he continued to possess such material despite prior convictions.