In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that 37-year-old Mario Gould—of Brompton Street, Middlesbrough—avoided an immediate prison sentence despite “boasting” about the high quality of his child abuse collection. Gould appeared at Teesside Crown Court where he admitted to possessing hundreds of illicit files discovered during a police raid in February 2019. It was reported that the investigation established Gould had access to 67 Category A images—the most severe classification depicting the rape of children—alongside 205 Category B and 462 Category C images.
The investigation established that Gould utilised a social media platform to share “vile” abuse videos with other sexual deviants. The prosecution reported that Gould was “picky” about the material he kept, sending one message that read: “I can afford to be picky because I have a nice collection.” Teesside Crown Court heard that Cleveland Police were alerted to his activity after he was flagged for using search terms specifically associated with individuals seeking out child sexual abuse imagery online.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Gould initially denied having a sexual interest in children, despite the evidence of his deliberate searches and curated collection. The investigation established that Gould was “struggling to come to terms” with his sexual proclivities, which the judge described as “truly horrifying” to the general public. The prosecution reported that while Gould attempted to distance his partner from his crimes upon arrest, the forensic data confirmed his active and enthusiastic participation in online abuse circles.
Judge-led proceedings at Teesside Crown Court concluded with Judge Jonathan Carroll sentencing Gould to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. For his actions in Middlesbrough and the “disturbing boastfulness” reported, the judge decided the public would be better served if Gould received intensive treatment for his sexual deviancy. The judge noted the gravity of the 67 Category A images, ordering Gould to sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for a period of ten years.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Teesside and Cleveland, the status of Mario Gould as of April 10, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: SUSPENDED SENTENCE (8-month sentence suspended for 2 years in 2020; period now concluded).
- Supervision Status: EXPIRED (Completion of court-ordered treatment for sexual deviancy and rehabilitation requirements).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active until 2030 (10-year period).
- SHPO Status: Active until 2030 (Including strict digital forensic monitoring, a ban on deleting internet history, and mandatory disclosure of all social media handles).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Making indecent images of children: Category A x67, Category B x205, Category C x462).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Teesside Crown Court; investigated by Cleveland Police.
- Criminal Record: Boasted online about the “quality” of his abuse collection; Flagged by police for specific search terms; Shared “vile” videos with other deviants on social media.
- Origin: Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Gould is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender within the Middlesbrough area. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “boastful sharing of Category A material and his curated approach to abuse imagery”—his management is a priority for the Cleveland Police Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his history of using social media to network with other deviants identifies him as an individual who requires the most intensive tier of statutory digital oversight, ensuring that any attempt to re-engage with abuse communities is detected immediately.
As a registered sex offender, the 43-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that the ten-year SHPO is a vital safeguard to audit his digital interactions and prevent him from regaining anonymity online. Any change of residence in Middlesbrough or elsewhere, any attempt to access prohibited search terms, or any unauthorised proximity to children will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who demonstrated a “calculating and enthusiastic intent” to consume and distribute child abuse.
QUESTION – Given that the offender “boasted” about being “picky” because his collection was so extensive, do you believe that “Premeditated Curation” should be a statutory aggravating factor that makes an immediate custodial sentence mandatory?
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