NICHOLAS HUNT FROM MOLD INVOLVED IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SCANDAL IN MOLD

In December 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Nicholas Hunt, a man residing on Bryn Coch Lane in Mold, who was found to possess and view highly offensive and illegal images depicting child sexual abuse and bestiality. The police conducted a thorough raid on Hunt’s residence after an investigation was initiated by the Metropolitan Police, which uncovered a series of disturbing digital files and chat logs.

According to court reports, Hunt, aged 44 at the time, had been consuming pornography since he was 13 years old. His addiction persisted even after he entered into marriage, with evidence suggesting that he spent hours late at night viewing such material when his wife and children, aged 15 and 11, were asleep. The investigation was triggered when an email containing an indecent image of a girl was sent to Hunt’s home address in Mold, prompting authorities to execute a warrant at his residence in September of the previous year.

During the raid, law enforcement officers seized two computer towers and a hard drive. Despite the presence of encryption software designed to protect his files, Hunt refused to provide passwords, forcing investigators to enlist the assistance of the national technical advice centre in London. Once decrypted, the files revealed a disturbing interest in child abuse and bestiality, with some images explicitly showing sexual acts involving live animals. Police also discovered chat logs where Hunt discussed such images with others, sharing and thanking each other for the “nice stuff” stored on their computers. Although there was no concrete evidence of distribution, the file names and chat conversations indicated a significant and unhealthy interest in these illegal activities.

Hunt’s initial police interview was marked by silence, with him largely replying ‘no comment’ to questions. However, once the images were uncovered, he became more forthcoming, admitting that he had been viewing pornography since his early teens and that his consumption had desensitized him over the years. He confessed to continuing this behavior after his marriage, often when his family was asleep. Hunt also acknowledged that he had an unhealthy obsession with such material, which he shared with others online through chat logs.

In court, the prosecution outlined that Hunt had committed nine counts related to possessing extreme images, including five depicting sexual acts with live animals, and three counts of possessing indecent images of children. The case revealed that Hunt’s actions contributed to a market that fuels the creation of such heinous images, which are driven by the demand for this “evil” material. Judge Philip Hughes, presiding over the case, noted that Hunt’s behavior demonstrated an unhealthy and dangerous interest in children, which he had shared with others in online communities.

Despite the severity of the charges, Hunt was spared immediate imprisonment. The judge decided that a community order with supervision for three years would be more beneficial both for Hunt and society at large. This decision was based on Hunt’s previously good character, as reflected in character references from his line manager, best man, father, and GP. The judge emphasized that Hunt was a “broken man,” having suffered significant personal consequences, including the departure of his wife and family, and a failed suicide attempt following the discovery of the images.

As part of his sentence, Hunt was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) to prevent future online activities related to such illegal content. Judge Hughes highlighted the fact that the demand for these images perpetuates a market that fuels the creation of child abuse material, describing it as “the evil of this kind of offending.”

Hunt’s case underscores the profound impact of such crimes, not only on the victims and society but also on the offender himself. The court acknowledged the deep personal toll on Hunt, who expressed remorse and acceptance of his actions, recognizing the destructive nature of his obsession. The judge concluded by stating that Hunt’s self-inflicted suffering and the damage caused by his behavior were as significant as any legal punishment he could receive, leaving him a “broken man” before the court.