MICHAEL ATKINSON SLough CIVIL SERVANT CAUGHT WITH CHILD AND ANIMAL SEX ABUSE IMAGES
| Red Rose Database
Slough Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Slough, a former civil servant was found to possess a large collection of illegal and highly disturbing images involving children and animals. The individual, Michael Atkinson, who resided on Horton Road in Slough, was discovered to have downloaded and stored over 500 illicit images spanning a period from 2004 to 2019.
Atkinson, aged 63, was employed as a financial investigator working for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). His role involved investigating financial crimes and proceeds of crime, a position that underscores the stark contrast between his professional responsibilities and his private conduct. The court heard that his collection included a variety of prohibited images, some of the most severe and disturbing types of illegal content.
The images found on his devices were categorized into several severe classifications. Among them were 31 'category A' indecent images of children, which are considered the most grave and involve children in explicit and distressing situations. Additionally, there were 39 'category B' images and 326 'category C' images, depicting children in various explicit contexts. The collection also contained 132 extreme pornographic images involving animals, which included women engaging in sexual acts with horses and dogs. Furthermore, authorities discovered 38 computer-generated indecent images of children, which depicted minors as young as four years old, despite being digitally created.
The court was shown evidence that the category A images depicted children in pain and distress, highlighting the severity of the material Atkinson possessed. The presence of such images indicates a disturbing pattern of behavior and a significant breach of moral and legal boundaries.
During the proceedings, Atkinson’s defense lawyer, Shina Animashaun, emphasized his client’s long-standing career as a civil servant. He noted that Atkinson had previously worked as a clerk for Derbyshire Police before joining HMRC in 2005, where he specialized in investigating proceeds of crime. Despite his professional background, Atkinson’s arrest and subsequent charges led to his dismissal from his position.
The sentencing hearing took place at Reading Crown Court, where His Honour Judge Burgess addressed the court. The judge acknowledged that although individuals with such sexual interests often do not engage in contact offenses, their consumption of illegal material fuels a market that perpetuates the creation of such disturbing images. The judge stated, “By consuming this sort of material, you are contributing to its generation.”
In light of his actions, Atkinson was sentenced to eight months in prison. However, the judge suspended the sentence, citing his lack of risk to the public and the potential for rehabilitation. HHJ Burgess emphasized that the primary goal should be crime prevention through rehabilitation efforts. As part of his sentence, Atkinson will be required to participate in up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior.
Additionally, Atkinson was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) during the sentencing, which imposes restrictions on his behavior to prevent future offenses. The court’s decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing punishment with the possibility of reform for a man who, despite his professional background, engaged in deeply illegal and morally reprehensible conduct.
Atkinson, aged 63, was employed as a financial investigator working for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). His role involved investigating financial crimes and proceeds of crime, a position that underscores the stark contrast between his professional responsibilities and his private conduct. The court heard that his collection included a variety of prohibited images, some of the most severe and disturbing types of illegal content.
The images found on his devices were categorized into several severe classifications. Among them were 31 'category A' indecent images of children, which are considered the most grave and involve children in explicit and distressing situations. Additionally, there were 39 'category B' images and 326 'category C' images, depicting children in various explicit contexts. The collection also contained 132 extreme pornographic images involving animals, which included women engaging in sexual acts with horses and dogs. Furthermore, authorities discovered 38 computer-generated indecent images of children, which depicted minors as young as four years old, despite being digitally created.
The court was shown evidence that the category A images depicted children in pain and distress, highlighting the severity of the material Atkinson possessed. The presence of such images indicates a disturbing pattern of behavior and a significant breach of moral and legal boundaries.
During the proceedings, Atkinson’s defense lawyer, Shina Animashaun, emphasized his client’s long-standing career as a civil servant. He noted that Atkinson had previously worked as a clerk for Derbyshire Police before joining HMRC in 2005, where he specialized in investigating proceeds of crime. Despite his professional background, Atkinson’s arrest and subsequent charges led to his dismissal from his position.
The sentencing hearing took place at Reading Crown Court, where His Honour Judge Burgess addressed the court. The judge acknowledged that although individuals with such sexual interests often do not engage in contact offenses, their consumption of illegal material fuels a market that perpetuates the creation of such disturbing images. The judge stated, “By consuming this sort of material, you are contributing to its generation.”
In light of his actions, Atkinson was sentenced to eight months in prison. However, the judge suspended the sentence, citing his lack of risk to the public and the potential for rehabilitation. HHJ Burgess emphasized that the primary goal should be crime prevention through rehabilitation efforts. As part of his sentence, Atkinson will be required to participate in up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior.
Additionally, Atkinson was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) during the sentencing, which imposes restrictions on his behavior to prevent future offenses. The court’s decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing punishment with the possibility of reform for a man who, despite his professional background, engaged in deeply illegal and morally reprehensible conduct.