STEVEN PARKER AND BURY: SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH HUNDREDS OF CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

In March 2016, a sex offender named Steven Parker was convicted after police discovered hundreds of extreme indecent images of children in his home. Parker, who has previously served two years in prison for similar charges in 2004, was found with a vast collection of illicit material. On January 13th of that year, officers raided his residence on Ormrod Street, Pimhole, Bury, and seized a computer, multiple pen drives, and dozens of DVDs containing photographs and videos of children as young as three.

The court was told that 151 of the images were classified as Category A — the most severe type, often involving children being sexually abused. Prosecutor Brian McKenna stated that Parker admitted his guilt immediately when questioned by police, handing over pen drives containing images he kept in his jeans pocket and guiding officers to three discs concealed behind cushions on his sofa. Parker reportedly told officers, "I’ve been doing it again. I can’t help it."

Further investigation uncovered 200 DVDs and additional pen drives. The digital media contained a total of 995 images, mostly of boys as young as five, with some children as young as three appearing in the videos. Parker, 58, explained that he used peer-to-peer software to view and transfer these images onto discs and pen drives for storage. He denied ever taking photographs of children himself.

During the police interview, Parker expressed his despair, stating that he had considered taking an overdose and ending his life. McKenna noted these details and added that, despite his actions, Parker did not resist or deny the charges.

Defence lawyer Peter Warne acknowledged that previous attempts to treat Parker’s obsession with child pornography through group therapy had failed, suggesting he would benefit from one-on-one help.

Parker, who participated in the court hearing via a video link from Forest Bank Prison, pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent photographs of children. Judge Smith sentenced him to an extended sentence for public protection, imposing 32 months imprisonment and a three-year license period.

Addressing Parker directly, Judge Smith remarked, "Despite knowing what you are doing is wrong, you have continued to do it. The victims are of the most vulnerable — young children. Unfortunately, conduct like yours fuels the market for producing such images." The judge emphasized that Parker needs to take more responsibility in stopping his offending, warning that continued behavior would result in going back to prison, stating, "If you resort to this sort of behaviour, you will find yourself in prison again."