PAUL DELHOY FROM REDCAR ESCAPES JAIL AFTER MASSIVE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE COLLECTION

In a case that has shocked the community of Redcar, Paul Delhoy, a 51-year-old man, was found to have accumulated an alarming collection of over 91,000 child abuse images on his personal computer. The investigation was initiated after police executed a search warrant at his residence on Laburnum Road, Redcar, on December 9, 2015. During the search, authorities seized two tower computers, which revealed the extensive and disturbing library of illegal images stored on his devices.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson provided the court with details of the case, stating that Delhoy possessed exactly 91,242 indecent images of children. The vast majority of these images, totaling 91,098, depicted children in a state of nudity without any sexual activity, which is classified under the least serious category in legal terms. However, the court was also informed that 34 of the images involved children as young as ten years old, falling into the most serious category of child exploitation material.

It was established that Delhoy had been downloading and collecting these illicit images over a period of four years prior to the police raid. He subsequently pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. In addition to these charges, he admitted to possessing 244 extreme pornographic images involving adults and animals. This case marked his first-ever conviction related to such offenses.

During the court proceedings, Kelleigh Lodge, representing Delhoy, argued that her client could be considered for a suspended prison sentence. She emphasized that Delhoy had been excluded from a sex offender treatment program because he was deemed to pose a very low risk of reoffending in the future. She stated, “He has taken steps voluntarily himself to address the issues that he has,” and highlighted that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Lodge also pointed out that there had been no further offending since his arrest and that Delhoy was genuinely remorseful.

Furthermore, she mentioned that Delhoy was currently suspended from his employment, although the outcome of this situation remained uncertain. She expressed concern that he might lose his job, saying, “It’s unclear how that will develop. He’s currently suspended but obviously his employer is awaiting the outcome of the case.”

Judge Peter Armstrong addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of the offenses. He stated, “These offences are so serious only custody can be justified for them.” However, the judge also noted two mitigating factors that led to the decision to suspend the custodial sentence. Firstly, Delhoy had no previous convictions, and secondly, there was no evidence of any distribution or sharing of the illegal images, which could have warranted a harsher sentence. The judge made it clear that the act of downloading such images is a form of child abuse and contributes to the demand that fuels this illegal market.

In light of these considerations, Judge Armstrong sentenced Delhoy to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, Delhoy was ordered to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activities, including participation in a citizenship program. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his internet use for ten years and was required to register as a sex offender for the same period. The court also ordered him to pay costs amounting to £300.