STEPHEN TOPLIS FROM CHAFFORD HUNDRED ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORN CHARGES IN ESSEX
| Red Rose Database
Chafford Hundred Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Stephen Toplis, a 46-year-old resident of Chafford Hundred, was found to be in possession of a significant number of illegal images depicting child abuse. The police investigation was initiated after authorities from Merseyside Police shared crucial intelligence, revealing that Toplis had been exchanging emails with a known sex offender and sharing disturbing content.
During a raid on his residence on Plymouth Road in Chafford Hundred, Essex Police uncovered a staggering collection of 380 photographs that depicted children being subjected to sexual abuse. The discovery was part of a broader investigation into online child exploitation, and the evidence was deemed highly disturbing and incriminating.
The police had been alerted to Toplis’s activities through email exchanges with a registered sex offender. These emails contained explicit descriptions and references to the illegal images, with Toplis himself describing the content as “horny.” The conversations revealed a disturbing level of engagement with the material, raising serious concerns about his intentions and mental state.
In one particularly troubling message, the offender inquired about how Toplis managed to control his urges to harm children. Toplis responded with a chilling remark, stating: “It is difficult, I would not be so nervous with stranger boys. I would love to play with them.” This exchange underscored the severity of the case and the potential risk posed by Toplis’s actions.
At Basildon Crown Court, Judge Christopher Mitchell addressed the court and delivered a sentence that, while not involving immediate imprisonment, imposed significant restrictions on Toplis’s future conduct. He was sentenced to a three-year community order and was mandated to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme. The judge emphasized that although the offences technically met the criteria for custodial sentencing, the circumstances of this case warranted a different approach.
Judge Mitchell explained, “Through these chat rooms and contact with chat rooms these images were sent to you. According to the sentencing guidelines these offences pass the custody threshold but I am satisfied in your case because of your plea of guilty, your good character and the very excellent references from a number of people and the report from your psycho therapist, it would be quite inappropriate to pass a custodial sentence on you.”
He also expressed concern over Toplis’s comments to the registered paedophile, describing them as “worrying,” but ultimately concluded that providing him with help was in the best interest of the community, himself, and potential victims. Additionally, Toplis was issued a Sex Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from viewing or downloading images from children’s websites or adult pornography sites, from seeking to be in the presence of or communicating with registered sex offenders, and from being alone with any child under the age of 16.
Toplis had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of downloading child pornography and one count of distributing such material during an earlier hearing, reflecting his acknowledgment of the charges against him. The case highlights ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes.
During a raid on his residence on Plymouth Road in Chafford Hundred, Essex Police uncovered a staggering collection of 380 photographs that depicted children being subjected to sexual abuse. The discovery was part of a broader investigation into online child exploitation, and the evidence was deemed highly disturbing and incriminating.
The police had been alerted to Toplis’s activities through email exchanges with a registered sex offender. These emails contained explicit descriptions and references to the illegal images, with Toplis himself describing the content as “horny.” The conversations revealed a disturbing level of engagement with the material, raising serious concerns about his intentions and mental state.
In one particularly troubling message, the offender inquired about how Toplis managed to control his urges to harm children. Toplis responded with a chilling remark, stating: “It is difficult, I would not be so nervous with stranger boys. I would love to play with them.” This exchange underscored the severity of the case and the potential risk posed by Toplis’s actions.
At Basildon Crown Court, Judge Christopher Mitchell addressed the court and delivered a sentence that, while not involving immediate imprisonment, imposed significant restrictions on Toplis’s future conduct. He was sentenced to a three-year community order and was mandated to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme. The judge emphasized that although the offences technically met the criteria for custodial sentencing, the circumstances of this case warranted a different approach.
Judge Mitchell explained, “Through these chat rooms and contact with chat rooms these images were sent to you. According to the sentencing guidelines these offences pass the custody threshold but I am satisfied in your case because of your plea of guilty, your good character and the very excellent references from a number of people and the report from your psycho therapist, it would be quite inappropriate to pass a custodial sentence on you.”
He also expressed concern over Toplis’s comments to the registered paedophile, describing them as “worrying,” but ultimately concluded that providing him with help was in the best interest of the community, himself, and potential victims. Additionally, Toplis was issued a Sex Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from viewing or downloading images from children’s websites or adult pornography sites, from seeking to be in the presence of or communicating with registered sex offenders, and from being alone with any child under the age of 16.
Toplis had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of downloading child pornography and one count of distributing such material during an earlier hearing, reflecting his acknowledgment of the charges against him. The case highlights ongoing concerns about online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes.