WIREDGOV

A man who downloaded indecent images of children has been placed on the sex offenders register following a joint National Crime Agency (NCA) and PSNI investigation.

Rory Campbell, 21, of Belfast, was arrested at his home in June 2016 and admitted to officers that he was guilty of viewing images of child abuse.

Officers who examined his computers found 560 images and videos on Campbell’s devices, 53 of which were in the most serious category for such material.

Yesterday he appeared at Belfast Crown Court and was placed on probation for two years, placed on the sex offenders register for ten years, made subject to a five-year sexual offences prevention order and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

NCA branch commander Rob Burgess said: “The NCA and PSNI are working together to tackle criminal threats to Northern Ireland, including the sharing of child abuse images.

“Campbell was viewing and sharing disturbing material and his actions prolonged the abuse of the victims within the images.

“As well as community service and probation, he will have to keep law enforcement informed about his online activity and will appear in safety checks carried out by organisations that work with vulnerable people.

“Like-minded people who think their own activity will go unnoticed should take heed that the NCA and PSNI will find them and bring them before the courts.”