HANIEL LONERGAN FROM BRYNTEG WREXHAM CAUGHT WITH MASSIVE CHILD PORN COLLECTION

In December 2018, Haniel Lonergan, an 18-year-old resident of Brynteg in Wrexham, faced serious allegations after police uncovered a substantial collection of indecent images and videos on his computer. The case was heard at Mold Crown Court, where the prosecution detailed the extent of the material found during a search of his home.

According to prosecutor Gemma Gordon, authorities executed a search warrant at Lonergan’s residence on April 21, following intelligence reports. During the investigation, it was revealed that Lonergan had been using a Google account under the alias 'Mr Shaddow' to access websites containing child sexual abuse images. The images and videos he downloaded depicted children ranging in age from as young as 12 months to 16 years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material.

In total, Lonergan admitted to downloading 64 images and films classified as Category A, which is considered the most serious, along with 181 in Category B and 303 in Category C. Additionally, a staggering 114,600 images and videos remained uncategorized, as noted by the prosecution. These figures underscore the severity of the case and the extensive nature of the material involved.

During police interviews, Lonergan claimed that his interest in these sites was driven by a desire to expose paedophiles online, a statement he repeated to the probation officer preparing his pre-sentence report. However, Judge Rhys Rowlands dismissed this explanation as implausible, describing it as “nonsense” and attributing it to Lonergan’s immaturity. The judge remarked that such claims are not uncommon and often circulated on social media, suggesting that young individuals are sometimes led to believe they are acting as vigilantes or detectives.

Judge Rowlands made it clear that Lonergan was not a detective or someone actively trying to catch paedophiles on the internet. He dismissed the explanation entirely, stating, “Let’s forget that now. It makes no sense whatsoever.” The judge emphasized that the defendant’s actions were criminal and not motivated by any noble intent.

As part of his sentencing, Lonergan was placed under a two-year community order. This order includes requirements for him to undergo rehabilitation and participate in a probation service program aimed at challenging and changing his thinking patterns. Furthermore, a five-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for the same duration. These measures are intended to monitor and prevent any future offending behavior.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and the serious consequences faced by those found guilty of such offenses. It also underscores the importance of addressing the underlying issues and ensuring appropriate rehabilitation for offenders.