In February 2019, the Offender Database reported that Graham Lewis, then 25, of Pulford Street, Anfield, Liverpool, avoided an immediate prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court despite possessing over 17,000 indecent images of children. Lewis, a former school IT technician, amassed a collection that included more than 5,000 Category A images—the most severe classification, depicting the rape and torture of children.
The court heard that Lewis had been working at Birchwood Community High School in Warrington when his “disturbing obsession” was uncovered. A police raid on his home on October 3, 2018, led to the seizure of laptops, a mobile phone, and an external hard drive. Forensic analysis revealed that between 2015 and 2018, Lewis had downloaded 5,520 Category A, 4,239 Category B, and 8,039 Category C images, as well as over 1,000 movies across all categories.
Investigators found that Lewis utilised Tor browser software and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access the “Dark Web” and hide his online activity from internet service providers. While Lewis initially did not comment on the police, he later admitted to being responsible for the haul. During the hearing, the prosecution expressed particular concern regarding his professional role within a high school, though no evidence was found that he had targeted pupils at the school.
Despite the severity and volume of the material, Judge David Aubrey QC spared Lewis from immediate custody, citing a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” Supported in court by his girlfriend, Lewis was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. The judge emphasised that the public interest was served by treating the offender to reduce the risk of recidivism. Lewis was ordered to attend a sex offender treatment programme and a 25-day rehabilitation course.
As a result of his conviction, Graham Lewis is required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. He is also subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which places strict, legally enforceable limits on his use of the internet and prohibits him from working in any capacity involving children. He is managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in the Liverpool area, where police and probation services will monitor his digital activities and residency.
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