Cambridge: Teenage Paedophile Jailed

22 March 2013, 10:07 | Updated: 22 March 2013, 10:15

An 18 year old from Cambridge, who downloaded more than 60,000 indecent images of children, has been jailed for 3 years.

Kieran Lynch, of Stevenson Court, Cambridge, admitted 12 counts of making and possessing indecent images of children at Cambridge Crown Court on 7th February.

Police carried out a warrant at Lynch's home on 4th July last year after information was passed from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre that his internet provider (IP) address was linked to more than 64,000 indecent images that had been uploaded.

On a computer seized from Lynch's home, officers discovered he had possessed and made 64,118 indecent images; 488 images at level five (the most severe legal classification) as well as 6,167 at level four, 4,078 at level three, 4,565 at level two and 48,802 at level one.

Amongst these images, Lynch had a 'paedophile guide' which was a step-by-step guide on how to identify a victim and go on to abuse that child.

Lynch had also made and possessed 426 movies.

In police interview, Lynch admitted downloading the images and was charged with five counts of making indecent images, two counts of possessing indecent images, four counts of possessing extreme pornography and one count of possessing a prohibited image.

Yesterday (Thursday), at Cambridge Crown Court, Lynch was sentenced to three years for each count to run concurrent apart from the four counts of possessing extreme pornography he received 12 months to also run concurrent.

Lynch was also made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) for a minimum of eight years and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Gareth Purdy, who investigated, said: "Lynch knew exactly what he was doing and it was extremely concerning when we found the 'guide'.

"Downloading images of this nature is not a victimless crime as it fuels the abuse of children worldwide.

"There is no excuse for it and, as this case demonstrates, those who access such images can be traced and will be dealt with."