Video campaign to target paedophiles
A CONVICTED paedophile described how his crimes changed his life forever.
The man, who had a ‘high profile’ life as a music performer, says he lost everything after being jailed for downloading indecent images of children.
He said: “I was living a life of high profile in the job I was in so an awful lot of people knew me.
“Going from a high profile life to no life at all, having all them friends and associates ... even some of my own family won’t talk to me.”
In a video released by West Yorkshire Police as part of a new campaign targeting adults who view indecent images of children, the man describes his arrest, how he felt when the judge gave him a prison sentence – and what happened when he was sent to prison.
He talks about his family situation now and how he is unable to see his daughter.
He says: “I feel like people are judging me all the way through. I feel everybody is against me.
“Even now I am disgusted with what I did. I cry myself to sleep some nights because of what I’ve lost.
“I would advise anybody, don’t even do it.”
Det Sup Jon Morgan, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Safeguarding Central Governance Unit, said: “We want to get across to anyone who is currently looking or thinking about looking at indecent images of children, it is a crime and you will get caught.
“Most people who we arrest for downloading and sharing indecent images of children have never come to the attention of the police and are not what people may think as a criminal.
“Whatever your profession, we don’t discriminate. We will arrest you for looking at indecent images of children, you are a sex offender and that is something that we take extremely seriously.
“Being investigated for this crime has all sorts of repercussions on your life, work and family. There is lots of help out there to stop this harmful behaviour before it ruins your life.”
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark BurnsWilliamson said: “This campaign spells out in no uncertain terms, the extremely serious ramifications of viewing indecent images of those under the age of 18.
“The video of the perpetrator brings the consequences into a very real perspective and should serve as a stark reminder as to the many ways in which this illegal activity can ruin lives in more ways than one.
“Tackling this type of online behaviour is part and parcel of the priorities within my Police and Crime Plan and I support new approaches in which this issue can be effectively addressed.
“This combination of strict enforcement and education is crucial in keeping young people safe across our communities and particularly within the digital environment.”
If you are concerned about your own behaviour or that of someone you know, there is help and support available from a number of charities and not for profit organisations, including the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Safer Lives and NSPCC.
For more information about the campaign and support available visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/iioc