TERENCE MCARTHUR FROM REDCAR CAUGHT WITH OVER 1,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
| Red Rose Database
Redcar Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Redcar, authorities uncovered a troubling cache of illegal images stored on the computer of local resident Terence McArthur. Over a span of more than two years, McArthur, aged 57, downloaded and amassed a total of 1,120 indecent images depicting children, including banned cartoon representations. The investigation was prompted by intelligence suggesting that his internet activity was linked to a compromised website, which led Gloucestershire Police to scrutinize his online behavior.
Police executed a search of McArthur’s residence on Geneva Drive, a home where he lived alone. During the search, officers seized two laptops along with other storage devices, which were later examined for illegal content. McArthur was questioned and subsequently admitted to downloading these illicit images between September 2010 and January 2013. Prosecutor Jenny Haigh informed the court that among the images, 833 fell into the least severe legal category, while 287 were classified as more serious, indicating a range of severity in the material he possessed.
In addition to the indecent images, McArthur also pleaded guilty to possessing nine prohibited cartoon images of children, which are banned under law, as well as two extreme pornographic images that did not involve minors. His internet activity came under scrutiny after police received intelligence about a large number of individuals accessing indecent images through a compromised website, which ultimately led to his identification.
During the court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, McArthur, who was described as having a previously good character, explained to officers that he could not fully account for how he ended up viewing these images. His defense lawyer, Sara-Lise Howe, highlighted that McArthur had experienced a traumatic childhood, suffered from depression, and had undergone counseling following a breakdown in 2005. She emphasized that he had maintained proper and meaningful relationships prior to these events but had become increasingly reclusive after losing his partner and being made redundant in 2010.
Ms Howe explained that McArthur’s reclusiveness led him to spend more time online, initially viewing adult pornography. However, she stated that he was shocked and disgusted with himself when he started viewing images of children. She also pointed out that the number of images he possessed was relatively small compared to other cases, and that he did not attempt to distribute or share the images. McArthur used his own email address, was cooperative with police, and did not hide his activities.
Judge Peter Armstrong acknowledged that while McArthur did not seek out extreme adult pornography, he clearly had an interest in indecent images of children for sexual gratification. The judge remarked that such distorted thinking, which appears to have developed later in life, needed to be addressed through appropriate intervention. Considering McArthur’s lack of prior convictions and his early guilty pleas, the court sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with conditions including supervision and participation in a sex offender treatment program.
Furthermore, McArthur was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order, restricting his internet use and monitoring his online activities to prevent further offenses. The case has raised serious concerns about online safety and the importance of vigilance in preventing the distribution and possession of illegal images involving minors in the Redcar community.
Police executed a search of McArthur’s residence on Geneva Drive, a home where he lived alone. During the search, officers seized two laptops along with other storage devices, which were later examined for illegal content. McArthur was questioned and subsequently admitted to downloading these illicit images between September 2010 and January 2013. Prosecutor Jenny Haigh informed the court that among the images, 833 fell into the least severe legal category, while 287 were classified as more serious, indicating a range of severity in the material he possessed.
In addition to the indecent images, McArthur also pleaded guilty to possessing nine prohibited cartoon images of children, which are banned under law, as well as two extreme pornographic images that did not involve minors. His internet activity came under scrutiny after police received intelligence about a large number of individuals accessing indecent images through a compromised website, which ultimately led to his identification.
During the court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, McArthur, who was described as having a previously good character, explained to officers that he could not fully account for how he ended up viewing these images. His defense lawyer, Sara-Lise Howe, highlighted that McArthur had experienced a traumatic childhood, suffered from depression, and had undergone counseling following a breakdown in 2005. She emphasized that he had maintained proper and meaningful relationships prior to these events but had become increasingly reclusive after losing his partner and being made redundant in 2010.
Ms Howe explained that McArthur’s reclusiveness led him to spend more time online, initially viewing adult pornography. However, she stated that he was shocked and disgusted with himself when he started viewing images of children. She also pointed out that the number of images he possessed was relatively small compared to other cases, and that he did not attempt to distribute or share the images. McArthur used his own email address, was cooperative with police, and did not hide his activities.
Judge Peter Armstrong acknowledged that while McArthur did not seek out extreme adult pornography, he clearly had an interest in indecent images of children for sexual gratification. The judge remarked that such distorted thinking, which appears to have developed later in life, needed to be addressed through appropriate intervention. Considering McArthur’s lack of prior convictions and his early guilty pleas, the court sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with conditions including supervision and participation in a sex offender treatment program.
Furthermore, McArthur was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order, restricting his internet use and monitoring his online activities to prevent further offenses. The case has raised serious concerns about online safety and the importance of vigilance in preventing the distribution and possession of illegal images involving minors in the Redcar community.