MICHAEL COOPER FROM PLYMOUTH CAUGHT WITH NEARLY 500 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
In January 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Cooper, a man from Plymouth who spiraled into a dark cycle of drug abuse and child exploitation imagery.The court proceedings revealed that Cooper, aged 35, had been found in possession of nearly 500 indecent images of children on his personal computer, a discovery that has shocked the local community.
According to court records, Cooper’s descent into this illegal activity was closely linked to his struggles with amphetamine addiction, which worsened following his separation from his wife.
The Plymouth Crown Court heard that Cooper’s computer contained a staggering 476 images and videos depicting child abuse, all downloaded over a period of approximately six to seven weeks.
Of these, 213 images were classified within the most depraved and extreme category, highlighting the severity of his actions.
Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Cooper to 16 months in prison, but notably, the sentence was suspended for two years, allowing him to avoid immediate incarceration under certain conditions.
The judge emphasized the gravity of Cooper’s offenses, stating, “A moment’s clear-headed thinking would have shown that the children are being robbed of their innocence and their childhood.
The psychological problems being stored up in the long-term are unimaginable.” In addition to the indecent images, Cooper, a former assistant shop manager, admitted to possessing three extreme pornographic images and a small quantity of amphetamine.
The police investigation was initiated after officers seized a laptop from Cooper’s residence, located on Valletort Road, Stoke.
The authorities confirmed that the device contained a significant amount of illicit material, which Cooper had downloaded during a period of heightened drug use.
During the court proceedings, the Crown Prosecution Service’s representative, Andrew Maitland, detailed the findings, noting that police had uncovered the extensive collection of illegal images and videos.
Maitland also pointed out that Cooper’s internet search history revealed a clear interest in indecent images of children, further implicating him in the possession and viewing of such material.
Cooper’s defense lawyer, Edward Bailey, provided context for his client’s actions, explaining that Cooper had been battling a long-term amphetamine addiction.
Bailey stated that Cooper had relapsed into drug use following his separation from his wife, which contributed to his mental state at the time.
“He was so high on amphetamine and depressed at the time he cannot give any sensible explanation as to why he viewed this filth on the internet,” Bailey said.
Despite this, he acknowledged that Cooper had some underlying interest in the material.
Further details revealed that Cooper had been evicted from his home and had lost his job as an assistant manager at a store in Plymstock’s Ridgeway.
Currently, he was residing with a friend on Pentamar Street in Stoke, reflecting the difficult circumstances he faced following his arrest.
The court’s decision underscores the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing concern about the impact of such material on society and the victims involved.
