NIGEL MULLARKAY FROM ALVASTON AND BRETBY LOSSES £7,000 IN CRIME CASH AFTER CHILD PORN CASE

In a significant development stemming from a serious criminal case, Nigel Mullarkey, a resident of Bretby and owner of an angling centre in Alvaston, Derby, has been ordered to forfeit a substantial sum of money following his conviction related to child exploitation crimes. The proceedings took place under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), which empowers courts to confiscate assets and cash obtained through illegal activities.

Last year, Mullarkey, aged 58, was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 20 counts involving the possession and creation of indecent images of children. His criminal actions came to light after authorities uncovered disturbing evidence at his business premises. In October 2009, staff working at the angling centre located in Alvaston discovered DVDs and videos containing explicit images of minors, which led to a police investigation.

During the subsequent search of Mullarkey’s shop, officers seized a total of £10,464 from a cupboard where the illicit materials were stored. Further examination revealed that £3,464 of this amount was legitimate income from the shop’s operations, leaving a remaining sum of £7,000 that was deemed to be proceeds of crime. The court ordered this amount to be confiscated from Mullarkey, emphasizing the importance of financial accountability in criminal cases involving exploitation.

Additional evidence presented during the case included a photograph taken with Mullarkey’s Nikon camera, which depicted a young Vietnamese girl, estimated to be under 10 years old, being sexually abused. A man’s figure can be seen in the photograph, but authorities could not definitively identify him as Mullarkey. The investigation also uncovered around 2,900 pornographic images stored on Mullarkey’s computer, further illustrating the extent of his involvement in child exploitation.

Judge Andrew Hamilton highlighted the severity of the case, noting that the police found ten more photographs on Mullarkey’s camera. The POCA legislation grants courts the authority to confiscate assets when the defendant cannot prove their lawful origin, aiming to disrupt the financial gains derived from such heinous crimes. Mullarkey’s conviction and subsequent forfeiture serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and hold offenders accountable.