A local man who downloaded 445 images depicting Child Sexual Abuse Material has today been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Stuart Santos, 49, had pleaded guilty to one count of Taking/ Making Indecent photographs of children, at an earlier hearing before the Supreme Court.

This follows an extensive, joint investigation by Detectives from the RGP’s Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) and Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT). The offence relates to the act of downloading indecent images. These images have no local connection.

An examination of Santos’s devices found that he had downloaded 228 ‘Category A’ photographs, 91 ‘Category B’ and 126 ‘Category C’.  Category A representing the most serious kind.

A hearing for an application for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) has been adjourned to a later date.

Acting Inspector Jo Ullger, of the RGP’s Public Protection Unit, said: “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting children from exploitation of all forms. These offences, though non-contact in nature, cause real harm. The safeguarding of children remains a top priority for the Public Protection Unit, and this conviction underscores the effectiveness of on-line monitoring, digital forensics and interagency collaboration in tackling child abuse. I would like to commend the officers involved for their professionalism in a complex and sensitive investigation.”