MAHER VIRAGH FROM BATLEY CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE VIDEOS IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Batley, Maher Viragh, also known as Maher Faraj, was found to have downloaded and possessed indecent images depicting young children being abused. The incident came to light in May 2021 when authorities uncovered his illicit activities, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that has now led to legal consequences.

Maher Viragh, a 26-year-old Hungarian national residing on Blakeridge Lane in Batley, was caught on two separate occasions with indecent images stored on his devices. The Leeds Crown Court heard that among the more than 150 images found, a significant number fell into the most severe category of child exploitation material, highlighting the gravity of his offenses.

Viragh pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of children, which resulted in him receiving a suspended prison sentence. In addition to the custodial aspect, the court mandated that he sign the sex offenders register for a period of ten years and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future activities and monitor his behavior.

Prosecutor Chloe Hudson detailed the case, explaining that police had initially seized Viragh’s devices while he was under investigation. Despite efforts to conceal his digital footprint, he used software designed to hide his activities. Search terms such as ‘PTHC’, ‘Russian paedo’, and ‘eight-year-old girl’ were used by Viragh in his online searches, indicating a disturbing intent and knowledge of the illicit material he sought.

During his first police interview, Viragh claimed that he had accidentally come across the images and insisted he downloaded them solely for evidence, denying any intent to distribute or share the material. However, in a subsequent interview, he was questioned about his repeated visits to the website hosting the images. He stated that he was seeking information to report the website, a claim that was met with skepticism given the evidence.

It was also revealed that Viragh had come to England three years prior and had not engaged in any employment since his arrival. Instead, he has been living off benefits, raising concerns about his integration and the potential risk he posed to the community.

In sentencing, Viragh was given a 15-month prison term, which was suspended for two years. The court also ordered him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and participate in 40 days of rehabilitation activities, aiming to address his behavior and prevent future offenses. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from harm.