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Jail for man who fled UK after arrest for possessing indecent images of children (19 April 2017)
Date: 19/04/2017
Carlisle Crown Court has jailed a 44-year-old man to three years and eight months for possessing and distributing more than 6,000 indecent images of children.
Stephen Carruthers was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
In 2014, Carruthers was arrested at his home in Great Langdale, Cumbria and charged with possessing approximately 5,000 indecent images of children, before he fled the UK for Europe.
In January 2017, he was involved in a road traffic accident in France, leading to the French authorities carrying out background checks on him and discovering that he was wanted by the police in the UK.
When French police seized his laptop, they found more than 1,000 indecent images of children.
Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, Victoria Atkinson said:
“Stephen Carruthers was arrested three years ago at his home in Cumbria for possessing a huge amount of indecent images of children.
“He then skipped bail, fled the country, adopted a new identity – and committed further offences while on the run.
“The CPS worked with the French authorities to extradite him back to the UK on a European Arrest Warrant, to face both the original charges – and to be further charged in relation to the images found on his laptop in France.
“The prosecution has presented a strong case to the court, which has resulted in him today receiving a custodial sentence.
“Viewing and downloading indecent images of children is not a victimless crime – it contributes to the cycle of harm suffered by victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation.”
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Sexual Offences
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, grooming, child sexual exploitation, historical charges involving child sexual abuse, revenge porn, prostitution – and making, downloading, or distributing indecent images.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.
For expert legal advice on sexual offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.
For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.