DECLAN SLOAN FROM CARLISLE FACES SEVERE SENTENCE FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

A 27-year-old man from Carlisle, Declan Sloan, is set to face a sentencing hearing at Carlisle Crown Court after admitting to a series of serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. Sloan, who previously resided on Graham Street in Carlisle, appeared before the city’s Rickergate court to plead guilty to multiple offenses involving child exploitation material.

Between December 26, 2023, and January 19 of the following year, Sloan engaged in activities that have now led to his criminal charges. The offences include downloading a significant number of indecent images, with the Crown Prosecution Service describing the case as particularly grave, to the extent that the district judge’s sentencing authority was deemed insufficient. As a result, the case has been transferred to Carlisle Crown Court for a more comprehensive sentencing hearing scheduled for April 21.

Specifically, Sloan admitted to downloading 135 images classified as Category A, which is considered the most severe level of child abuse imagery. In addition, he acknowledged downloading 66 images categorized as Category B and 45 images falling under Category C. Beyond these, Sloan was found to possess 168 extreme pornographic images, some of which depicted disturbing acts involving animals, including bestiality. He also possessed a prohibited image of a child, which is a criminal offense in itself. Furthermore, Sloan faced three counts related to the distribution of indecent images across categories A, B, and C.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor George Shelley emphasized the seriousness of Sloan’s actions, highlighting the potential harm and the criminal nature of possessing and sharing such material. The defense, represented by Chris Toms, acknowledged Sloan’s current precarious living situation, stating that he was