LIDIO MORRINEAU EXMOUTH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL REVEALED

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over a decade, Lidio Morrineau, a man from Exmouth, has been repeatedly linked to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, culminating in a recent conviction that has shocked the local community and the wider public.

In February 2021, Morrineau, aged 51, was sentenced to nine months in prison after being found with hundreds of illicit images on his laptop during a police raid at his residence in Exmouth. The police executed a warrant at his home in Withycombe Park Drive in June 2018, where they uncovered a disturbing collection of images, including some classified as the most severe category A child abuse material. The investigation revealed that Morrineau had deliberately searched for such content, as evidenced by the search terms stored on his device.

Authorities discovered that Morrineau had a long-standing history of similar offenses dating back to 2004. Despite previous convictions and participation in sex offender treatment programs, he continued to access and download illegal material. The police found that he had amassed a virtual library of approximately 18,000 images, including both still photographs and videos, many depicting the most extreme forms of child abuse, involving sadism and even acts of violence. Among these were 338 images showing adults abusing young girls, and over 600 images at higher levels of severity.

During the police interview, Morrineau admitted to having a long-standing sexual interest in pre-pubescent girls, although he initially claimed he had no images. His background includes previous suspended sentences and completion of sex offender programs, yet the court was told that he posed a significant risk of reoffending. Judge David Evans, presiding over the case at Exeter Crown Court, emphasized that imposing another non-custodial order would be ineffective, given Morrineau’s history and the serious nature of his offenses. The judge stated, “You clearly pose a very considerable risk of reoffending in the future. It is difficult to conclude you are a realistic rehabilitation prospect.”

Adding to the disturbing pattern, in July 2013, Morrineau was found with a child-sized mannequin dressed as a girl and a pair of pink girl’s knickers under his computer chair. At that time, he was 43 years old and living in Maer Vale, Exmouth. Despite having completed a sex offenders’ course and being removed from the register because he was deemed no longer a risk, police discovered he continued to search for images of young girls, some as young as four. The police raid uncovered a collection of 338 images depicting children being abused, including videos of adults assaulting young girls.

In the earlier incident of May 2013, Morrineau was warned he faced jail after being caught with approximately 18,000 child abuse images on his computer. The court was informed that he had reoffended despite previous convictions and participation in treatment programs. The images included 17,526 still photographs and 683 videos, with more than 600 classified as extreme material involving violence and sadism. The case highlighted his persistent pattern of offending, which spanned over two years while he was still on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Throughout these proceedings, the court recognized the gravity of Morrineau’s offenses and the danger he posed to society. His defense argued for pre-sentence reports, citing his prior treatment and rehabilitation efforts, but the judge made it clear that the severity and persistence of his crimes warranted serious consideration of custodial sentences. The case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of such offenses, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial oversight to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.