FRANK COUSINS REPEATEDLY OFFENDS IN NORTH SHIELDS AND SUNDERLAND WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over a decade, Frank Cousins, a known sex offender from North Shields, has been repeatedly caught engaging in illegal activities related to child exploitation and indecent images. His criminal history is extensive, including multiple convictions for possessing vile images of children and committing sexual offences.

In September 2016, Cousins, aged 51 and residing on Locomotion Way in North Shields, was once again brought before Newcastle Crown Court after police raided his home following a tip-off in April of that year. During the search, officers discovered two mobile phones containing over 100 indecent photographs of children, some as young as five years old, being subjected to abuse. The images included 70 that were classified as Category A, the most severe classification for such material. Prosecutor Paul Roland emphasized the seriousness of the case, highlighting Cousins' prior convictions for similar offences, which added aggravating weight to his latest crimes.

It was revealed that Cousins had a long history of offending. In 2000, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for gross indecency, indecent assault, and possession of indecent images. Despite this, he continued to offend, receiving a suspended sentence in 2007 for making indecent images. His criminal activities persisted, and in 2010, while living in Sunderland, he was caught with a collection of disturbing images after attempting to photograph a young girl at the Bridges Shopping Centre. He was subsequently given a community sentence due to the time he had already spent in remand. Further offences were committed in 2012, when he was found with another illegal collection of images, resulting in yet another community order.

During the 2016 hearing, Judge Penny Moreland addressed Cousins directly, reminding him that the images he sought online depicted real children in horrifying situations. She stated, “One of the children who is depicted is a girl aged 5 to 9, depicted in a category A image. That was a real child, a real little girl, aged five to nine, forced to do that so you can look at pictures of it happening.” The judge sentenced Cousins to 12 months in prison and imposed a 10-year sex offender registration requirement. She expressed concern that despite multiple periods of supervision, Cousins continued to view such images, indicating that further intervention might be ineffective.

Defense lawyer Paul Caulfield argued that Cousins had sought professional help after his latest relapse, which was triggered by a personal relationship breakdown. Caulfield also mentioned that Cousins felt harassed by media attention and had managed to build a successful career as a self-employed artist and sculptor, selling his artwork at trade fairs despite the adverse publicity and hostility in his community. He claimed that the images on Cousins’ phones had been deleted and could only be retrieved with specialist software, which was not accessible to the defense.

Earlier incidents in June 2016 also highlighted Cousins’ troubling history. He was caught selling Star Wars toys to children from a stall at Royal Quays shopping complex in North Shields. His criminal record includes a nine-year sentence in 2000 for indecent assault and taking indecent photographs, as well as subsequent convictions for making indecent images in 2007 and attempting to photograph an eight-year-old girl in Sunderland in 2010. Police found indecent images of children in printed photographs, on mobile phones, and on camera memory cards during raids. Despite being on the Sex Offenders Register for life and banned from working with children, Cousins continued his activities, setting up a business called Kustom Kollectables, which sold Star Wars toys both online and at a stall.

He was photographed assisting a young boy in trying on a Star Wars helmet, and images of his merchandise, including stormtrooper models, were publicly available. His online presence indicated ongoing sales at Royal Quays, although he claimed to be seeking new venues. Northumbria Police monitored Cousins closely due to his status under a Sex Offences Protection Order, and investigations into his activities continued, especially following his latest conviction.

In October 2010, Cousins appeared in court after being caught attempting to photograph children in Sunderland. Police found a collection of indecent images and extreme pornography, including depictions of adult women engaging in sexual acts with animals. He was granted bail but was caught again a month later at Boots in The Bridges shopping centre, printing similar images. Despite protests that he was not doing anything illegal, he was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in 2000, with subsequent suspended sentences and community orders. His repeated offences and denial of wrongdoing underscore his persistent pattern of offending, which continues to pose a significant risk to the community.

Throughout these proceedings, Cousins has shown little acknowledgment of the harm caused by his actions. His case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders with a history of viewing and possessing child exploitation material, and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to monitor and prevent further crimes.