September 2023

Paedophile who collected 50,000 indecent images says it was a ‘moment of madness’

A pervert who collected more than 50,000 indecent images of children over the span of a decade on 13 computers, laptops, phones and hard drives claimed it was merely a “moment of madness”.

Simon Dean also downloaded a disturbing manifesto for “compassionate paedophiles” during his years of viewing vile pictures and videos of child abuse. But the 59-year-old “came clean” and confessed when the National Crime Agency came knocking at his door.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, that a search warrant was executed at his home on Hurst Mill Lane in Glazebury, Warrington, in the early hours of January 14 last year. When told of the nature of the raid, Dean replied: “Ok I admit it, I’m going to have to come clean aren’t I?”

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how he then pointed officers in the direction of electronic devices which contained indecent images of children. While being transported to custody, the defendant added: “It was just a moment of madness.”

Under interview with detectives, Dean admitted downloading and storing such materials but denied being involved in their distribution.

A total of 13 computers, laptops, phones and hard drives were seized during the NCA’s visit, with three found to contain indecent images and related searches also carried out on a further two.

In all, he had collected an astonishing 51,532 pictures and videos of children aged as young as five. Of these, 3,188 were graded as being in category A – those showing the most serious forms of abuse.

Dean had also downloaded 4,240 category B images and 46,888 in category C. His internet history meanwhile revealed concerning searches dating back as far as November 2012.

Investigators also found Microsoft Word documents titled “The Compassionate Paedophile” and “Baby Sitting Kristen”, with the latter “detailing activity with a young child during a babysitting session”.

On one date in 2020, Dean had received 22 separate emails containing indecent images within a 15-minute period.

Dean admitted possession of indecent images, three counts of making indecent images and possession of prohibited images during an earlier hearing.

Judge David Aubrey KC was due to pass sentence this morning, but adjourned the case until next month in order for “further enquiries” to be made by the Probation Service as to his suitability to undergo the Horizon sex offenders treatment programme.