MICHAEL STUMP SHOCKS STROOD WITH DECADES OF CHILD INDECENCY IMAGES

In January 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Stump, a resident of Strood, who was found to have accumulated an alarming collection of indecent images of young children over a span of ten years. The police conducted a raid on Stump’s residence in Strood, uncovering nearly 18,000 photographs depicting children being subjected to abuse by adults at various levels of severity. These images ranged from explicit photographs to more serious material, highlighting the extent of his illicit collection.

Further investigation revealed an additional 38,000 images that, while not classified as illegal or indecent, suggested a sexual interest in minors. Prosecutor James Ross detailed that Stump, a 51-year-old widower living on Elaine Avenue, was actively accessing this material on the morning the police arrived. During the raid, authorities seized a computer and a collection of DVDs, which were later examined for evidence.

Stump claimed that he might have come across some of these images while searching for adult pornography, asserting that he did not have a sexual interest in children. However, the evidence told a different story. Mr. Ross explained that, apart from thousands of still images, there were video clips totaling nearly 20 hours of footage. The investigation uncovered that Stump used specific search terms such as “nine-year-old model” and “Russian teen girls” to locate these images online. He admitted to “bulk downloading” the pictures, which indicated a systematic effort to gather such material.

In court, Stump confessed to possessing indecent images of children between the years 2004 and 2014. His actions led to a conviction and a sentence of 16 months in prison. During the proceedings, his defense lawyer, Simon Sandford, emphasized that Stump was deeply remorseful and ashamed of his actions. Sandford added that Stump had become reclusive, had given up his employment, and that some family members remained unaware of the extent of his misconduct. The lawyer stressed that Stump insisted he would never act upon any inappropriate feelings.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC addressed the court, highlighting the systematic nature of Stump’s online searches, which included some material involving sadism. As part of his sentence, Stump’s name will be entered onto the sex offenders’ register, and he will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for ten years. Additionally, he will be legally barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, aiming to prevent any future harm. The case underscores the serious legal and social consequences of possessing and seeking out such disturbing material, especially in a community like Strood.