Richard Nobes, aged 49, of Sheffield Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, received a suspended custodial sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after pleading guilty to amassing more than 6,300 indecent images of children, some depicting victims as young as six years old.
The investigation commenced when Cumbria Police executed an intelligence-led search warrant at Nobes’s home.
Prosecutor Brendan Burke told the court that when police entered the property, Nobes appeared conscious of why officers were present, remarking: “That was years ago.”
However, forensic analysis established that the illicit material was actively acquired between November 7, 2020, and May 6, 2021, using a social media platform heavily frequented by young people.
Although Nobes had deleted the files, cyber specialists successfully recovered the full dataset, which included:
- 1,359 Category A images (the most severe legal tier)
- 674 Category B images
- 4,291 Category C images
- Additional prohibited images of children
Nobes entered guilty pleas to three counts of downloading indecent images of children and one count of possessing prohibited images.
A charge of possessing extreme pornography was left to lie on the file.
Sentencing Nobes, Judge Andrew Jefferies KC highlighted two severe aggravating features: the immense volume of material—which contained both still photographs and moving footage of primary school-aged children—and the active distribution of images to third parties.
Judge Jefferies confirmed that an eight-month immediate custodial sentence was initially warranted, but suspended the term for two years on the basis of Nobes’s admissions, his prospect for rehabilitation, and medical documentation confirming he is the primary carer for his infirm father.
Addressing Nobes, Judge Jefferies stated: “If I did put you in prison today, for a relatively short period, it would have a disproportionate effect on your father, who has done nothing wrong.”
Nobes was ordered to complete 40 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days to address his sexual interests, placed under the statutory notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, and issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) strictly controlling his digital device and internet usage.
In 2026, concerns were raised regarding his compliance with public monitoring after active social media profiles belonging to Nobes were identified and submitted to police for investigation.
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