Locations
Rosebery Street, Kimberworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S61
Description
A man who was found to be in possession of thousands of images and hundreds of indecent videos including prohibited images of a child and extreme pornography has appeared before court.
Neil Copnell, 51, of Rosebery Street, Rotherham appeared before Sheffield Crown Court last week (24 May) for sentencing after pleading guilty to seven offences of making and possessing indecent images of various categories.
On 20 May 2021 officers attended Copnells home and arrested him. Following his arrest, officers and the specialised Digital Forensics Team carried out searches of his devices.
The searches revealed images and videos dating back from 2004 until 2021. Over 16,000 indecent images were found and 353 videos involving children as young as four years old.
Copnell was charged with making category A, B, C images, possession of prohibited images, possession of extreme image, and possession of B and C videos. He pleaded guilty to all charges on 22 April 2022.
Detective Constable Emma Blackburn from the Rotherham Protecting Vulnerable People Team said: The images and videos that Copnell had in his possession were extreme, graphic and sickening.
Those with images and videos in their possession often believe they are not harming anyone but behind each photograph and video is a victim.
We are committed to protecting victims and vulnerable people, but also ensuring that those like Copnell are put before the courts to ensure there is no risk to members of our community and monitoring can take place.
Copnell was sentenced to a two year community order, 43 days sex offender rehabilitation programme, 100 hours unpaid work and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.