STEVEN ATKINSON GUILTY OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGE POSSESSION IN GUISTBOROUGH

In April 2021, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of child exploitation involving Steven Atkinson, a resident of Guisborough. The case came to light after police executed a search warrant at his home, leading to the discovery of illicit material stored on his digital devices.

The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from the National Crime Agency to Cleveland Police, alerting them to Atkinson's online activities. During the raid, law enforcement officials seized his mobile phone and laptop, which were subjected to forensic analysis. The results revealed that Atkinson possessed a total of ten images classified as child abuse material, including nine categorized as Category A, the most severe classification, and one as Category C.

Prosecutor Vicki Lamballe explained to Teesside Crown Court that Atkinson employed an anonymous web browser to conceal his online searches, which did not record his browsing history. Additionally, he had installed 'eraser' software on his devices, further complicating efforts to trace his online activity. Despite these measures, investigators managed to recover evidence linking him to the possession of illicit images. A specific file on his computer indicated a visit to a website containing child abuse content.

Atkinson, aged 40 and residing on Meath Way in Guisborough, pleaded guilty to two charges related to the possession of indecent images of children. The court heard that his actions represented a serious breach of the law and moral standards.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Atkinson to eight months in prison, though the sentence was suspended for a period of 12 months. The judge emphasized the gravity of such offenses, stating, "Each time an image of a violated child is used, it constitutes a further violation for that child." He further remarked on the enduring trauma inflicted upon victims, noting that as children grow older, they are aware that these images remain accessible and are viewed by others, which is an abhorrence to society.

As part of his sentence, Atkinson was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was issued a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. These measures aim to monitor and restrict his activities to prevent further harm and protect the community from potential reoffending.