In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Christopher Marsden, then 34, of Sea Lane, Rustington, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court. Marsden pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates’ Court to five offences, including making and downloading indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornographic material.
The investigation established that Marsden had accessed and stored more than 1,300 indecent images over a nearly ten-year period. Police discovered the “shocking” collection during a 2023 visit to his home in Rustington. The material included 615 Category A images—the most severe classification—featuring children as young as six years old being abused.
Digital Evidence and Online Activity
Forensic analysis of Marsden’s devices uncovered a vast quantity of “abhorrent” material, including:
- Category A: 615 images of the most extreme nature.
- Category B: 333 images.
- Category C: 394 images.
The prosecution also reported that police found evidence of online chats between Marsden and other individuals. These discussions “concerning sexual assaults of young children” raised significant concern regarding the offender’s mindset and the risk he posed to the community.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Magistrates at Worthing ruled that the offences were so “serious” that they exceeded the sentencing powers of the lower court. For his crimes in West Sussex, Christopher Marsden was:
- Committed to Lewes Crown Court for sentencing.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
- Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) restricting his digital access and contact with minors.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Marsden is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Sussex Police. His history of accessing “extreme” material over a decade and his participation in online chats about child assault mean he remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As a registered sex offender, Marsden must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address and digital devices. Sussex Police state that they will continue to proactively target those who download “vile” abuse material. Any breach of his SHPO or registration conditions will result in his immediate return to Lewes Crown Court.
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