In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 44-year-old Craig Cooper—of Enys Road, Camborne, Cornwall—was jailed for possessing what was described as a “staggering” volume of child abuse material. The investigation established that in May 2019, police raided Cooper’s address and seized a laptop and hard drive. The prosecution reported at Truro Crown Court that the collection was so vast—estimated at over 400,000 images and videos—that specialist officers eventually stopped counting and categorising the files.
The investigation established that Cooper was a recidivist predator who had previously been convicted of possessing indecent images of children in 2005. The prosecution reported that his new collection included horrific Category A material: footage of girls as young as three being digitally penetrated, children aged six to eight being forced into sexual acts, and the rape of girls aged eight to 10. Cooper also possessed extreme pornography involving bestiality, which he accessed using peer-to-peer software to facilitate his digital strikes.
JUDICIAL FINDINGS AND SENTENCING
The court reported that the sheer scale and depravity of the collection identified Cooper as an individual who provided the financial and digital incentive for the actual abuse of children. The investigation established that many of the films were of considerable length, depicting sustained sexual violence. The prosecution reported that Judge Simon Carr told Cooper he was “as guilty” as those who committed the physical acts, as his consumption directly fueled the market for serial child abuse.
Judge-led proceedings at Truro Crown Court concluded in 2020 with Cooper pleading guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images and one count of possessing extreme pornography. For his actions in Camborne, Cornwall and the nature of the serial child abuse reported, he was handed a custodial sentence. The judge noted that the repeat nature of his offending, following his 2005 conviction, proved that Cooper remained a high-level threat to the safety and human rights of children.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial orders issued in 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Possession of indecent images of children [Category A-C] x3; Possession of extreme pornography).
- Custodial Status: SERVING (In 2020, sentenced to a custodial term; currently incarcerated).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- SHPO Status: Active FOR LIFE (Imposing permanent bans on unsupervised contact with children and the strictest digital forensic monitoring).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Truro Crown Court; investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Recidivist offender with a prior 2005 conviction; Possessed over 400,000 images/videos of child abuse; Collection included infant rape and bestiality; Used peer-to-peer software for strikes; Jailed in 2020.
- Origin: Enys Road, Camborne, Cornwall.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Cooper is managed as a high-risk recidivist offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Cornwall. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically the “unprecedented” volume of his collection and his history of non-compliance—he is a priority for the most intensive digital monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures Cooper is permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to access digital devices or hold a position of trust will be blocked to ensure public safety.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Cooper’s behaviour identifies an individual who prioritised his own depraved gratification over the safety and human rights of hundreds of thousands of children globally. Any failure by Cooper to adhere to his notification requirements or his restrictive court orders in Camborne or elsewhere will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the police “Gave Up Counting” due to the volume of images, do you believe the law should legally mandate an automatic “Whole Life Order” for any offender found in possession of more than 100,000 Category A images?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.