IAN TAYLOR FROM COTTINGHAM ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORN AND DOLL OBSESSION REVELATION

In April 2012, Ian Michael Taylor, a 54-year-old man residing on Dunswell Road in Cottingham, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found in possession of a significant amount of illegal material and engaging in disturbing behaviors involving dolls.

Police executed a search warrant at Taylor's former residence in Beech Avenue, West Hull, on February 11 of the previous year. The operation was initiated following intelligence received from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. During the raid, authorities confiscated Taylor's computer, two laptops, three memory sticks, and various computer discs. These devices contained a total of 1,374 indecent images and videos depicting children, which Taylor had downloaded over a span of two years.

Further inspection revealed a collection of child-sized sex dolls, photographs of these dolls alongside images of children, as well as children's clothing and underwear. The police also discovered Taylor's collection of life-sized dolls, which he claimed he used for posing and sculpting ideas. Taylor explained to officers that he had been viewing the images with his dolls to gather inspiration for poses, asserting that his interest was purely artistic.

During police interviews, Taylor admitted guilt, stating, "I'm guilty. My life is over." Prosecutor Mark Kendall detailed Taylor's claims, revealing that he had been living in solitude for 12 years and that his fascination with dolls had become a central part of his life. Taylor reportedly had a six-year 'relationship' with a life-sized doll named Alice. He also mentioned that he was now involved with a smaller, 12-inch doll because it was more convenient to transport than Alice.

According to Taylor, his primary interest lay in dolls, and he used the images he collected to develop ideas for sculpting and posing them for photographs. His behavior was characterized by the court as bizarre but stemming from a genuine interest in dolls, which he initially pursued as a hobby involving antique dolls before it evolved into a more obsessive collection and sculpting activity.

At Hull Crown Court, Taylor pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing indecent images of children. His defense lawyer, Austin Newman, emphasized that Taylor's fascination, while unusual, had legitimate origins and that he was a lonely, isolated individual in need of help. The judge, Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, described Taylor as a 'pathetic' and 'lonely' man whose preoccupations revolved around dolls.

Judge Mettyear sentenced Taylor to a three-year community order. As part of his sentence, Taylor is required to participate in the Northumbria Sex Offenders Treatment Programme. The judge also addressed the low level of harm involved, noting that the images were of a very low level of severity. He expressed confidence that Taylor now posed a very low risk of causing harm to any children.

In his remarks, Judge Mettyear highlighted the dangers of viewing child pornography, noting that it can encourage further abuse by providing a false sense of acceptance for those with such tendencies. He acknowledged the bizarre elements of Taylor's case, particularly his interest in dolls, but considered it a genuine hobby rather than malicious intent. The judge emphasized that staying away from pornography sites would make Taylor's behavior seem strange but ultimately innocent. He concluded by warning Taylor that he would be closely monitored for three years, with the hope that any residual temptations would be suppressed. The court also made it clear that Taylor was fortunate to avoid prison, trusting that he would adhere to the conditions set forth and that failure to do so could result in resentencing.