Walsall Paedophile Steven Maddock was found guilty of possessing over 15,000 obscene photos of children, including some among the most disturbing that authorities had ever encountered.
However, he evaded incarceration despite being apprehended with the photographs.
The 62-year-old resident, Steven Maddock, of Skip Lane, Walsall, was utilising the dark web to access websites that disseminated and transmitted illicit photos, as presented in Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Following Steven Maddock’s arrest, officers confiscated a computer from his residence and discovered the photographs.
He acknowledged the creation of indecent photos and the possession of extreme pornography and forbidden images during a prior hearing.
His offences are thought to have occurred between 2016 and 2018, encompassing 4,202 photos in the most severe category.
The photographs, featuring children aged one to 14, were kept in a folder on his computer labelled ‘music collection’.
Detective Constable Emma Simpson, who conducted the investigation, stated: “These images were among the most distressing encountered by our seasoned officers.” The material was very distressing and unsettling for the individuals engaged in the study.
Steven Maddock consistently refused to accept responsibility for his activities, attributing them to a purported hacking of his account; however, our comprehensive forensic analysis effectively refuted his assertions.
“It is gratifying to learn that another offender, utilising the digital realm to acquire such images, has been arrested, convicted, and sentenced.”
On October 8, Steven Maddock received a 16-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting ten years.
Steven Maddock was placed on the sex offenders registry for ten years.
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