1 week Ago By [email protected] (Mark Naylor)
An online pervert with an "addiction to pornography" was found with a stash of indecent images of children. Marine pilot Stuart Fox, 40, of Millias Close, Brough, had instructed a specialist therapist to help him with his issues, Hull Crown Court heard. He admitted making indecent images of children.
Molly Minter, prosecuting, said that Fox joined a group on a social media platform but, unknown to him, an undercover police officer was also a member of it. On August 22, 2023, Fox became involved in messages, continuing into a second day, with the undercover investigator. Fox talked about the supposed sexual abuse of a two-year-old girl who, in reality, did not actually exist.
He sent an intimate image of a random girl from the internet but, although the picture was of concern, it was not classed as indecent. The conversations moved to another platform and there were more messages about sexual activity with a young girl. Fox offered to bring the non-existent two-year-old girl down to London on the train to meet up for a "play date".
The undercover officer pretended to be interested and Fox asked about supposed sexual abuse that the undercover officer pretended to have been involved in. Checks were made by the police and Fox was identified from his email address, which had been used to set up the first online account. There was also a recovery email address and a telephone number matching those of Fox.
He was arrested and his mobile phone was seized. He provided an incorrect password and police could not access it. Police finally discovered nine Category B indecent images of children, some showing girls aged between nine and 12, including some naked from the waist down.
They also included explicit images of a man, with an intimate part of his body superimposed. Website search history by Fox included ones for bestiality. He said in a statement that he had never abused a child.
He made mainly no comment to questions. Zarreen Alam-Cheetham, mitigating, said that Fox pleaded guilty. "He takes full responsibility for his actions," she said.
"He is, quite frankly, disgusted with himself. He wishes to apologise for his actions. He does not wish to excuse his his behaviour in any way.
He has stayed out of trouble since. He is capable of staying out of trouble, with just one previous conviction. He has no previous convictions for this offending.
" Fox had an "addiction to pornography" and the offences were originally committed because of that. "It was impulsive and it was stupid," said Miss Alam-Cheetham. Miss Alam-Cheetham added that Fox had instructed a private therapist, who specialised in sexual issues.
He served in the Royal Auxiliary Fleet and trained as a navigator. He worked as a marine pilot steering tankers and cargo ships into port. Fox was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours' unpaid work, and 30 days' rehabilitation.
He was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years. He was ordered to pay £150 costs..
