Paedophile sent to prison for 7 years

A 20-year-old paedophile has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple child sexual abuse image offences.

Joshua Morris, 20, dob 22/05/2004, of Hogsmill Way in West Ewell, was sentenced on Wednesday 20 November at Guildford Crown Court for:

⦁ Three offences of distributing an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
⦁ Three offences of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
⦁ One offence of taking an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
⦁ Possession of an extreme pornographic image involving an animal
⦁ Breaching a sexual risk order

The investigation into Morris first began in 2021 after it was flagged by colleagues in the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command at the National Crime Agency that he had been linked to the online sharing and possession of child sexual abuse images.

Upon searching Morris’s electronic devices, indecent images of all categories were discovered. Baby and child clothing were also found in his bedroom.

In the three interviews conducted by officers with Morris, he either remained silent or answered no comment to all questions.

Whilst the investigation was ongoing, Morris was put under a sexual risk order (SRO), which he breached by continuing to look at child sexual abuse images online – he was further arrested and charged with these additional offences.

At sentencing, the Judge also handed Morris a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating Officer, DC Connor Leney from our paedophile online investigation team (POLIT) said; “Joshua Morris is a predator who poses a serious risk to children through his online activities. We are pleased that he will now spend seven years in prison where he won’t be able to cause harm.

“If you have any concerns about someone’s activities online and you think they may be involved in predatory and criminal behaviour, please report it to us – we take these offences extremely seriously and will bring those responsible to justice.”