MICHAEL THOMPSON OF CAMBORNE SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN 2017

In 2017, Michael Thompson, 50, of Camborne, was sentenced to prison after evidence revealed he possessed more than 2,000 child abuse images on his computer. Despite his ongoing claim that someone else accessed his device and planted the images, Thompson was convicted following a trial. He appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday for sentencing, having been found guilty of making indecent photographs of a child dating from June 2010 to June 2015.

Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel explained to the court that police executed a search at Thompson’s home, seizing various electronic devices. During the investigation, officers discovered indecent images across all three prohibited categories: 45 still images and 82 videos in Category A; 56 stills and 55 videos in Category B; and 1,453 stills and 156 videos in Category C.

In sentencing, Recorder Simon Levene remarked, “I haven’t seen the images, neither did the jury, but I did see their faces when a description of the images was read out during the trial. You have shown no remorse, have no mental disorder, and have taken no steps to address the issue. You said your devices were protected with codes, and that someone must have obtained your passwords to plant the images. These are feeble excuses, and there is an enormous background of suffering behind the images you had on your computer.”

He went on to highlight the vulnerability of the children depicted, emphasizing that they suffered pain and distress. The judge also pointed out that Thompson’s computer demonstrated active participation in peer-to-peer file sharing and included specific internet searches linked to illegal material.

Thompson was sentenced to two years in prison, with the requirement to serve half of that term.