MOLD MAN FIONTAN GREANEY CAUGHT IN CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN FLINTSHIRE

In February 2019, a disturbing case emerged from Mold, Flintshire, involving Fiontan Padgraig Greaney, a 30-year-old man whose actions have shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about online safety and criminal behavior.

Greaney was found to have engaged in the illegal possession and downloading of a significant number of child sexual abuse images and videos. According to court records, he admitted to downloading a total of 55 movies and images classified under the most severe category A, which depicts the most explicit and heinous material. Additionally, he possessed 126 images categorized as B and 244 images classified as C, with these activities spanning from June 2014 to July of the previous year. Beyond these, Greaney also acknowledged possessing 29 prohibited images and videos, further compounding the severity of his offenses.

The images and videos seized during the investigation were described by Judge Rhys Rowlands as “stomach-churning stuff,” highlighting the disturbing nature of the material involved. The case was brought before Mold Crown Court, where the judge faced the difficult decision of sentencing. Greaney’s defense argued that he was driven by a compulsive behavior, which he claimed had spiraled out of control. He expressed remorse and told police that he was disgusted with himself and desperately wanted help to address his issues.

Following his arrest, Greaney sought counseling from the Lucy Faithful Foundation, indicating a willingness to confront his problems and seek rehabilitation. The court was informed that he did not have any previous convictions, and despite his highly intelligent demeanor, he appeared to struggle with functioning appropriately for his age.

In sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands emphasized the gravity of the crimes. He explained that Greaney faced a stark choice: serve a relatively short prison sentence, which he might find extremely difficult to endure, or participate in a more comprehensive three-year program designed to challenge and assist offenders like him. Ultimately, the judge opted for the latter, placing Greaney on a three-year community order. This included 50 days of rehabilitation and a requirement to complete a specialized program called Horizon, aimed at individuals with similar offenses.

Furthermore, Greaney was fined £500, with an additional £340 in prosecution costs. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for a period of five years and was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his activities and contact with minors.

During the proceedings, it was noted that Greaney did not function as a typical man of his age, despite his high intelligence. His guilty plea and lack of prior convictions were considered in the sentencing process. Prosecutor Karl Scholz detailed that a search warrant executed at Greaney’s residence in July led to the seizure and examination of his computer equipment, which uncovered the illicit material.

Defense lawyer Simon Parry highlighted that Greaney, who was suspended from his job at the time, had no previous criminal record. The probation service indicated that Greaney would need to demonstrate genuine motivation to change his behavior, emphasizing the importance of therapy and ongoing support.

In a related court appearance in January 2019, Greaney appeared at North East Wales Magistrates Court, where he admitted to the same offenses. During this hearing, he was visibly distressed, crying and resting his head on the bench in front of him. He was granted bail under strict conditions, including a prohibition on unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 years old. The court was informed that a search warrant executed at his Mold home in July had resulted in the seizure of computer equipment, which confirmed his involvement in collecting and downloading child sexual abuse images.

Greaney admitted to police that the illegal activity had been ongoing for approximately two years. He attributed his actions to low moods, loneliness, boredom, and curiosity, claiming that he did not find the images sexually arousing and had deleted some of them. Despite this, he expressed remorse and acknowledged that the number of images recovered was shocking. He also stated that he needed help and had been in contact with the Lucy Faithful Foundation to seek therapy.

The magistrates concluded that the offenses were extremely serious and that Greaney’s case warranted referral to the Crown Court for a more severe sentence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the potential harm caused by his actions.