TONY CROES FROM COULBY NEWHAM AND ESTON CAUGHT WITH DARK WEB CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In July 2018, Tony Croes, a labourer with connections to Coulby Newham and Eston, found himself at the center of a disturbing criminal case involving the possession of indecent images of children. Croes claimed that he had inadvertently downloaded these illicit images while browsing the dark web in an attempt to purchase drugs. Despite his assertions, authorities uncovered over 100 such images stored on his electronic device, raising serious concerns about his intentions and actions.

During the proceedings at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Croes, aged 26, was in possession of a total of 104 Category C indecent images of children. The court heard that he had tried to conceal his activities by installing application cleaning software on his device, a move that was ultimately unsuccessful in hiding the evidence from investigators. Prosecutor Rachael Dodsworth emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “The defendant had indecent images of children, and on the device was installed an app cleaning software.”

It was also disclosed that Croes had a prior criminal record, although it did not include offenses related to indecent images or child exploitation. His last court appearance had been in 2012, indicating a period of relative legal quiet before this recent incident. Croes’s living situation was described as unstable, with no fixed address. He was known to reside intermittently between Runswick Road in Eston and Ash Hill in Coulby Newham.

In sentencing, District Judge Timothy Capstick expressed strong disapproval of Croes’s actions, remarking, “If it was not for people like you, the industry couldn’t exist or strive in the way it does today, bringing misery to many children.” As part of his punishment, Croes was sentenced to an 18-month community order and ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. The court also considered imposing a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), but this was objected to by Croes’s defense team. A further hearing is scheduled for July 9, when a decision regarding the SHPO will be made, leaving the case open for additional legal measures against Croes.