WILLIAM COOK FROM MILTON KEYNES JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES AND DRUG OFFENSES AT AYLESBURY CROWN COURT
In a case that highlights the serious consequences of criminal behavior involving child exploitation and drug offenses, William Cook, a 29-year-old resident of Milton Keynes, was sentenced to a total of 91 months in prison during a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court.The proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of illegal activities, including the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
Cook, who resides in Fernan Dell, Crownhill, pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
These included possession of a psychoactive substance with intent to supply, possession and distribution of indecent images of children, drug offenses, and money laundering.
As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to be on the sex offenders register for ten years.
The court's sentencing detailed the severity of his crimes and the extensive evidence gathered against him.
The court sentenced Cook to 31 months for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, which is a significant offense given the nature of the substance involved.
Additionally, he received a four-month sentence for possessing an offensive weapon, which was to run concurrently with the other sentences.
His involvement in the distribution of indecent images of children earned him a nine-month sentence, also to run concurrently, and he was placed on the sex offenders register for a decade.
Further, Cook was sentenced to six months each for two counts of possessing extreme pornography, with these sentences to be served concurrently.
A separate nine-month sentence was imposed for money laundering, which was to be served consecutively to his other sentences, reflecting the gravity of his financial crimes.
The investigation that led to Cook’s arrest began on May 13, 2015, when police executed a drugs warrant at an address on Mead Crescent, Redhouse Park.
During the search, officers discovered several packages containing a white powder believed to be Class A drugs, along with clear plastic bags typically used for drug dealing, six mobile phones, scales, and £1,260 in cash.
Outside the property, law enforcement officials searched an Audi Q5 believed to belong to Cook.
Inside the vehicle, they found an extendable truncheon near the driver’s seat and additional drugs, which led to his arrest.
During police interviews, Cook claimed he was struggling financially due to unemployment, relying on housing benefit and job seekers allowance.
However, evidence contradicted his claims, revealing that he was living in a privately rented three-bedroom house and driving a new Audi Q5.
A subsequent financial investigation uncovered approximately £55,000 in his bank account, transferred over a five-month period, indicating significant unexplained wealth.
Further examination of Cook’s mobile phone uncovered a Category A indecent video involving children stored on his WhatsApp account.
It was revealed that Cook had distributed this video in 2013 to a friend, claiming he thought it was “funny.” He admitted to sending the video via social media platforms.
In addition to this, two other indecent videos were found on his device, leading to formal charges on February 29 of that year.
Milton Keynes police officer Detective Constable Stephanie Mason emphasized the seriousness of Cook’s actions, stating, “Cook believed that as he had received the video via social media he was not committing offences by forwarding the video on to friends.
This is a stark warning to others that any extreme pornography or indecent images received via social media will be dealt with and you will be charged if caught by police.” While on bail for the child exploitation charges, Cook was arrested again on July 9, 2016, at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) held at The Bowl in Central Milton Keynes.
The arrest was related to drug offenses, and he was formally charged on July 11.
Cook pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a psychoactive substance with intent to supply.
His sentences for these offenses included a 12-month term to run concurrently with his previous sentences and a 42-month term to be served consecutively.
During the EDC raid, officers found Cook holding a large white bag containing 94 small gas canisters and 152 balloons.
These items are commonly used at festivals to inhale gases, often referred to as “legal highs.” Additionally, Cook was found with £850 in cash and a brown wallet containing 11 small white bags of white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine.
These discoveries underscored his involvement in illegal drug distribution at large-scale events, further compounding his criminal record and the seriousness of his offenses.
