STEPHEN THRESH FROM HULL CAUGHT WITH HORRIFIC ANIMAL SEX IMAGES AND SURRENDERS TO POLICE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Hull, Stephen John Thresh, aged 48, was found in possession of nearly 700 images depicting women engaged in sexual acts with various animals, including snakes, elephants, and tigers. The incident came to light when Thresh, a former prison employee, took the unusual step of walking into a police station after receiving a suspicious warning message on his computer.

According to reports presented at Hull Crown Court, Thresh had been experiencing significant mental health struggles at the time, including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. These issues reportedly followed the recent death of his father, which may have contributed to his state of mind. It was revealed that Thresh had been viewing these extreme images late at night while intoxicated, which suggests a pattern of behavior linked to his emotional distress.

Thresh handed over two laptops to the authorities, unaware that the spam warning messages he received were false alarms designed to deceive him. The court was informed that his computer history indicated he had been accessing such disturbing content as early as 2007, well before he voluntarily approached the police in March of that year. Thresh, who worked as a joiner in the prison system, admitted to possessing six counts of extreme image possession, a charge that the judge described as a “very serious” offense.

During the court proceedings, Thresh expressed remorse, stating, “I will be glad when it is all behind me. It will be a new start for me.” He also claimed that he was unaware that viewing such images was illegal, citing the law change in 2009 as a point of confusion. Despite the severity of the charges, Thresh was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment. Instead, he received a four-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision through the Probation Service and to complete 60 hours of unpaid community work.

This case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the possession and viewing of extreme and illegal images, as well as the importance of mental health support for individuals in distress. The community in Hull remains attentive to the implications of such disturbing cases and the need for continued vigilance and appropriate legal responses.