DAVID THOMPSON FROM LINGDALE ADMITS TO NEARLY 15,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND EXTREME MATERIALS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Lingdale and the wider East Cleveland area, David Thompson, a 53-year-old resident, has confessed to possessing and creating an extensive collection of child abuse images. The details of his offenses emerged during a court hearing held at Teesside Magistrates' Court on a recent Monday, where Thompson faced multiple serious charges.

Thompson admitted to producing nearly 15,000 indecent images of children, a revelation that underscores the severity of his actions. Among these, he acknowledged creating three counts of making indecent images of a child, with the most disturbing category, Category A, comprising 1,358 images that depict acts of rape or torture involving minors. In addition, he confessed to possessing 995 images classified as Category B, and a staggering 12,099 images falling under Category C, which includes less severe but still illegal content.

The court proceedings also revealed that during a police raid on June 26 of the previous year, officers searched Thompson’s residence on High Street in Lingdale. During this search, authorities discovered not only the illicit images but also found him in possession of the Class B drug, amphetamine. The police did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the drug possession or the images, focusing instead on the legal proceedings.

District Judge Tim Capstick addressed the court, stating that he could only deal with the drug possession charge at that moment. As a result, Thompson was given a 12-month conditional discharge for the drug offense. The other four charges—related to the creation and possession of the child abuse images—were sent to Teesside Crown Court, where a future trial date will be set.

Judge Capstick granted Thompson bail under specific conditions, including his requirement to reside at his Lingdale address on High Street. The judge emphasized that Thompson would receive credit for his early guilty pleas but warned that this bail does not imply any leniency regarding his eventual sentencing at Crown Court. The judge also mandated that Thompson must register as a sex offender, a standard procedure in cases involving sexual offenses against minors.

Throughout the proceedings, the seriousness of Thompson’s crimes was underscored by the court’s handling of the case, reflecting the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from such heinous acts.