SHANE MCCOLLUM FROM AXMINSTER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER VIEWING EXTREME CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL

In April 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Shane McCollum, a man from Axminster, who was found to have downloaded and possessed highly disturbing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse and torture of children. The case was brought to light after police investigations revealed the extent of his online activities.

McCollum, a 37-year-old utility worker residing in Rising Sun, Dalwood, near Axminster, was caught with a collection of illicit material that shocked even the most hardened observers. Authorities discovered that he had accessed peer-to-peer file sharing sites to obtain these images and videos, which he used for sexual gratification. His initial consumption involved adult pornography, but over time, he sought increasingly extreme content involving children, indicating a troubling escalation in his behavior.

The police seized his laptop and other electronic devices in July of the previous year, following a raid prompted by intelligence about his online activity. On his computer, investigators found a file labeled 'porn,' along with four data discs containing a total of 171 movies and several still images. Among these, 24 movies depicted bestiality, and 171 movies and four images fell into the most severe Category A classification, indicating extreme and disturbing content. An additional 119 images and videos were classified at lower levels of severity.

During the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that some of the material involved scenes of sexual torture inflicted upon very young children. The prosecution described the content as 'abhorrent,' emphasizing the cruelty and the distress experienced by the victims depicted in the images. Judge Erik Salomonsen was told that some of the videos were moving images, which heightened the severity of the offense, and that the number of children involved made the crime even more egregious.

McCollum pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme images. In sentencing, he was given a 15-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a 60-day 'Maps for Change' probation program designed to address such offending behavior. The court also mandated that he sign the sex offenders' register for ten years and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his future activities.

Judge Salomonsen addressed McCollum directly, stating, 'Some of the material depicted extreme cruelty and sexual offending against very young children. It was described by the prosecution as sexual torture. The images are abhorrent even by the standards of some of the material which is dealt with in this court. The offense is aggravated by the age of the children, their pain and distress, the fact many are moving images, and the number of children involved.'

The judge explained that his decision to suspend the sentence was based on the belief that McCollum would benefit more from treatment than from immediate incarceration, and that this approach would better protect the public.

Prosecutor Mr. Nigel Wraith highlighted the severity of the evidence, stating, 'Police, acting on information about the use of peer-to-peer file sharing sites, raided McCollum’s home in July last year and seized a laptop and other electronic equipment. They found a file marked 'porn' on the computer, along with images and movies stored on four data discs. The materials included 171 movies and four still images in the most extreme category, as well as 119 images and videos at lower levels of severity. Some of these images depict scenes of sexual torture involving very young children.'

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse material, and the importance of monitoring online activity to prevent such heinous crimes from continuing.