LEWIS CASEY'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BOURNEMOUTH REVEALED
In May 2018, a disturbing case involving Lewis Casey, a 21-year-old from Bournemouth, came to light as authorities uncovered his heinous activities involving the exploitation of children through online platforms.Casey was found to have targeted victims using the Kik Messenger app, a popular free instant messaging service known for its ability to preserve user anonymity, which he exploited to satisfy his perverse desires.
Lewis Casey had already been serving a four-year prison sentence at HMP Ashfield in Pucklechurch, Bristol, after being convicted in 2016 of a series of serious offences.
His previous convictions included sexual assault, inciting a male under 16 to engage in sexual activity, exposure, and the creation of indecent images of children.
Police investigations at that time uncovered approximately 60,000 indecent images of children stored on his computers and mobile devices, highlighting the extent of his criminal activities.
However, the criminal proceedings against Casey did not end there.
Earlier in 2018, he was brought back before the courts on new charges—18 additional offences, all of which he admitted.
These included sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13, multiple counts of sexual assault involving minors, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of children, inciting children to engage in sexual acts, and participating in sexual activities while children were present.
The gravity of these allegations underscored the severity of his crimes.
Following these revelations, Casey was sentenced to an additional five years and ten months in prison.
The court also mandated that upon his release, he would serve an extended license period of eight years, ensuring close supervision for a significant duration.
The case drew considerable attention from law enforcement and the public, given the disturbing nature of his offences and the potential threat posed to children.
Investigations by Dorset police played a crucial role in uncovering the full extent of Casey’s online activities.
A second probe was launched after his initial 2016 sentencing, focusing on his internet usage and interactions within the Kik Messenger chatroom.
Authorities discovered that Casey had used the platform to communicate with numerous individuals, sharing and receiving images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and infants.
Despite Kik’s reputation for user anonymity, detectives managed to recover a substantial amount of data—25,761 rows—from Casey’s devices.
This data related to 1,280 different message partners and usernames, spanning from January 1, 2014, to April 1, 2015.
Further evidence linked Casey to specific children he had sexually abused, and investigators identified additional victims he had met through Kik.
The evidence was damning, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated by online communication.
The police’s efforts uncovered not only the extent of his online misconduct but also concrete links to real-world victims, emphasizing the danger posed by his actions.
In March 2018, Casey was scheduled to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court.
However, the hearing was postponed after prosecutors requested more time to prepare, citing the need for a full day to properly consider the case.
Judge Jonathan Fuller QC expressed concerns about the handling of the case by CPS Wessex, noting issues with the service of legal papers and the incomplete disclosure of information relevant to sentencing.
The court was also troubled by the presentation of a 'piecemeal' indictment, which hindered a comprehensive understanding of the case.
Victims’ families, who had attended the court for the scheduled hearing, expressed their frustration over the delays.
The judge decided to adjourn the sentencing until April, allowing additional time for a thorough review of the evidence and to ensure justice is properly served.
A CPS spokesperson emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, “This case involves very serious allegations of sexual abuse against young children by a registered sex offender who at the time of the investigation was serving a custodial sentence.” They further explained that Casey’s previous conviction in 2016 involved similar offences, including the possession and creation of indecent images, with around 60,000 images found on his devices.
The subsequent investigation revealed conversations in which Casey boasted about further abuse, along with additional indecent images and sexual conversations with individuals he believed to be children.
Some of his victims had been identified and spoken to, leading to the additional charges.
The court initially allocated two hours for the sentencing hearing on March 23, but the judge requested more time, ultimately scheduling a full day to ensure a comprehensive sentencing process.
