JAMES CROWDER FROM NEWTON ABBOT CAUGHT WITH 200,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES WALKS FREE
In a case that has shocked the community of Newton Abbot, James Crowder, a 58-year-old man, was found to possess an astonishing number of indecent images and videos of children on his personal computer.Despite the severity of the evidence, Crowder was allowed to walk free from Exeter Crown Court after he claimed that he was motivated to change his ways and sought help for his troubling behavior.
Authorities revealed that Crowder’s computer contained approximately 30,000 indecent images and videos of children.
However, the police investigation uncovered that the total number of images was far higher, with over 192,000 images remaining unanalyzed due to the sheer volume.
The police had initially stopped counting when they reached a point where they could no longer continue, indicating the extent of the material stored on Crowder’s device.
Further investigation revealed that Crowder had used file-sharing software that enabled other users to view and contribute images to his computer.
This software facilitated the sharing of illegal content, complicating the case further.
On April 1 of the previous year, police executed a search warrant at Crowder’s residence, located in Newton Abbot, which led to the discovery of the illicit files.
Prosecutor Emily Pitts detailed the findings to the court, stating that the police found the file-sharing software along with an “incredibly high” number of illegal images.
Of the images that were examined, 5,418 were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious and extreme content.
An additional 7,196 images fell into Category B, while 16,663 were categorized as Category C.
The police also discovered 87 movies, with 61 of these in Category A, along with three extreme images and 300 images that were prohibited by law.
Analysis of the search history on Crowder’s computer revealed searches related to children and pre-teen sexual activity.
The images depicted children aged between two and 13 years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material.
Crowder admitted to 13 counts of making indecent images of children, possessing a prohibited image of a child, and possessing extreme pornographic images.
During the court proceedings, his defense argued that a pre-sentence report indicated Crowder posed a low risk of re-offending.
His legal team emphasized that Crowder had acknowledged his problem and expressed a desire to seek help to address his behavior.
Judge Philip Wassall addressed Crowder directly, stating, “You were found when your home was searched to have, and even in the experience of this court this is considerable, 192,000 images on your computer which on the face of it had an indication were unlawful images of children.
A section of these images were analysed.
There were a very large number of the most serious images.” The judge acknowledged that Crowder was generally of good character, noting that individuals involved in such cases often deny or downplay their actions.
However, Crowder had fully admitted his involvement and accepted that he had a problem, which the judge found to be a notable and unusual aspect of this case.
As a result, Crowder, of Kittersley Drive in Newton Abbot, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, and ordered to complete a sex offender internet program as part of his rehabilitation process.
