JACK MELLES SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN DURHAM
| Red Rose Database
Durham Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Durham, Jack Mellis, a 22-year-old resident of Ushaw Moor, faced justice for heinous crimes involving child exploitation and abuse. The details emerging from court proceedings reveal an extremely troubling pattern of illegal activity, including the possession and distribution of explicit images of children, along with the secret filming of minors.
Police investigations were triggered after authorities became aware of Mellis sharing child abuse images via online platforms. As part of their probe, officers seized Mellis's mobile phone, which proved to be a trove of disturbing content. An expert analysis of the device uncovered an alarming collection of content: approximately 46 hours of Category A indecent videos, which constitute some of the most egregious forms of illegal material involving children. Additionally, there were numerous images categorized as B and C, amounting to over 113 Category A images, 128 Category B images, 457 Category C images, along with multiple videos.
One of the more disturbing discoveries was that Mellis had clandestinely filmed two children using his phone. These videos, captured without the minors’ knowledge, added a sinister dimension to his crimes. One such video, recorded on July 1, lasted a mere 15 seconds but reflected a serious violation of the minors' privacy and safety. During police interviews, Mellis confessed to owning hundreds of images that he derived sexual gratification from viewing. He admitted to obtaining these materials from internet websites, storing select images in dedicated folders, and sharing them with others.
The investigation was further intensified after reports emerged on December 28 of last year, indicating Mellis had uploaded two Category B indecent images to Reddit, which depicted a 10-year-old girl. In June of this year, police visited Mellis at his home address on Ushaw Moor and spoke with him. He claimed that he might have downloaded some indecent images inadvertently. His iPhone was seized and examined, revealing the extent of his criminal activity.
Deborah Smithies, the prosecutor, explained that the police found a total of 113 Category A images and nine videos, along with additional content in lower categories, during the analysis of Mellis’s device. The investigation also revealed more secret recordings of children—these violations of privacy underscore the grave nature of his offenses.
Following his arrest, Mellis fully admitted to his involvement in the crimes, acknowledging the extensive collection of images and videos. He expressed that his actions were driven by the sickening gratification he derived from viewing the material.
Mellis appeared in Durham Crown Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent images, distributing indecent images, and voyeurism. His defense attorney, Lewis Kerr, argued that Mellis was capable of rehabilitation, highlighting that since his arrest, he had engaged with a foundation aimed at addressing his issues and had been employed. Kerr also noted Mellis's residence in a Washington Travelodge with family members since the offences, emphasizing his attempts at stability.
However, Judge Jo Kidd delivered a stern judgment, sentencing Mellis to 18 months in prison for possessing the grave collection of indecent videos and images. Additionally, Mellis was placed under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender for the same duration, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk posed to the community.
Police investigations were triggered after authorities became aware of Mellis sharing child abuse images via online platforms. As part of their probe, officers seized Mellis's mobile phone, which proved to be a trove of disturbing content. An expert analysis of the device uncovered an alarming collection of content: approximately 46 hours of Category A indecent videos, which constitute some of the most egregious forms of illegal material involving children. Additionally, there were numerous images categorized as B and C, amounting to over 113 Category A images, 128 Category B images, 457 Category C images, along with multiple videos.
One of the more disturbing discoveries was that Mellis had clandestinely filmed two children using his phone. These videos, captured without the minors’ knowledge, added a sinister dimension to his crimes. One such video, recorded on July 1, lasted a mere 15 seconds but reflected a serious violation of the minors' privacy and safety. During police interviews, Mellis confessed to owning hundreds of images that he derived sexual gratification from viewing. He admitted to obtaining these materials from internet websites, storing select images in dedicated folders, and sharing them with others.
The investigation was further intensified after reports emerged on December 28 of last year, indicating Mellis had uploaded two Category B indecent images to Reddit, which depicted a 10-year-old girl. In June of this year, police visited Mellis at his home address on Ushaw Moor and spoke with him. He claimed that he might have downloaded some indecent images inadvertently. His iPhone was seized and examined, revealing the extent of his criminal activity.
Deborah Smithies, the prosecutor, explained that the police found a total of 113 Category A images and nine videos, along with additional content in lower categories, during the analysis of Mellis’s device. The investigation also revealed more secret recordings of children—these violations of privacy underscore the grave nature of his offenses.
Following his arrest, Mellis fully admitted to his involvement in the crimes, acknowledging the extensive collection of images and videos. He expressed that his actions were driven by the sickening gratification he derived from viewing the material.
Mellis appeared in Durham Crown Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent images, distributing indecent images, and voyeurism. His defense attorney, Lewis Kerr, argued that Mellis was capable of rehabilitation, highlighting that since his arrest, he had engaged with a foundation aimed at addressing his issues and had been employed. Kerr also noted Mellis's residence in a Washington Travelodge with family members since the offences, emphasizing his attempts at stability.
However, Judge Jo Kidd delivered a stern judgment, sentencing Mellis to 18 months in prison for possessing the grave collection of indecent videos and images. Additionally, Mellis was placed under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender for the same duration, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk posed to the community.