In 2018, the Offender Database reported that Stephen Dews, the Horden Paedophile Sex Offender, then 43, who attempted to conceal his internet identity while obtaining illicit photographs of minors, was sentenced to one year in prison.
Stephen Dews, residing with his parents, utilised a ‘tor’ browser on his computer, which is engineered to obscure the user’s location from authorities.
Stephen Dews downloaded 350 moving and static photos, which featured depictions of children as young as three being sexually assaulted and raped violently.
Stephen Dews utilised Facebook and several messaging platforms to communicate his sexual attraction to minors with others.
In response to a social media inquiry, Stephen Dews remarked: “I wish I had more to present; individuals have been rather silent recently.”
Stephen Dews, 43, of Glanton Terrace, Horden, County Durham, confessed to three offences of downloading obscene pictures of minors from January to April of this year.
Stephen Dews was subjected to an indefinite restriction restricting his internet usage.
The gadgets containing the photographs were seized and will be destroyed.
Stephen Dews is required to register as a sex offender for a duration of 10 years.
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