An investigation by Cumbria detectives has resulted in an online child sex offender being jailed for three years.
Lydia Chadwick, 36, of Lightburn Avenue, Ulverston, was sentenced today (25 October) at Preston Crown Court for the following offences:
- Three counts of making indecent images of children
- Three counts of distributing indecent images of children
- Possessing an extreme pornographic image
- Possessing a prohibited image of a child
Chadwick’s offending came to light after police executed a warrant at her home address. Officer seized mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Chadwick. Detectives found over 2,000 indecent images of child across the devices owned by Chadwick, with over 700 considered to be in the most serious category.
Chadwick was found guilty by a jury at an earlier hearing.
Detective Constable Ryan Parker, Cyber & Digital Crime Unit, said:
“Lydia Chadwick stored images on devices belonging to her depicting harrowing images of child sexual abuse.
“She would communicate online with other people to talk about child sexual abuse as well as selling indecent images of children.
“At the beginning of her trial Chadwick claimed to be mute, due to a medical condition which rendered her unable to speak. Later in the trial she spoke to defend herself.
“Indecent images of children offences are far from a victimless crime. Not only do the images show children being abused, but demand for such images also then leads to further abuse occurring.
“We will continue to do what we can to target those who commit online child sexual abuse offences and bring offenders to justice.”
