Paedophile Blames Collection of Images on ‘Naturism’ Before Admitting On Camera He Poses Risk to Children
A paedophile caught with a significant number of child abuse images attempted to justify his actions by claiming an interest in naturism and the development of the female body. Ross Cooper, a 43-year-old from Caerphilly, was found to be in possession of indecent images of children as young as two, alongside disturbing material depicting sexual abuse of animals. The total haul included 284 illicit images of children and 68 images of animals. Despite avoiding jail time, Cooper candidly spoke to WalesOnline outside Cardiff Crown Court, where he reiterated his explanation that he simply “wanted to see how the body developed.” However, he also acknowledged that the assessment by the probation service, which deemed him a risk of serious harm to children, was accurate.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Jenny Yeo detailed how authorities raided Cooper’s residence in Lansbury Park on May 18, 2023, and seized various electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, USB sticks, and mobile phones. The search yielded 31 Category A indecent images, 19 Category B images, and 230 Category C images, along with additional prohibited images involving children and extreme material featuring sexual acts with animals. Yeo mentioned that the images dated back to 2017, uncovering a disturbing pattern of behaviour. Moreover, Cooper’s claim that the images were for educational purposes related to the female body was refuted by the graphic content of the pictures.
Cooper, residing in Gwaun Newydd in Lansbury Park, pleaded guilty to possessing indecent, extreme, and prohibited images. Despite maintaining a clean criminal record, he did have a caution for cruelty to a child or young person. His defence barrister, Emma Harris, shed light on his challenges, citing physical and mental health difficulties exacerbated by the loss of his parents and social isolation due to caring for his partner. Harris pointed out that Cooper recognised the impact of sexual abuse on victims and acknowledged the necessity of working with the probation service to address his issues.
In sentencing, Judge Jenkins underscored that actions like Cooper’s perpetuate the vile industry of child sexual exploitation, highlighting the real harm caused by such offences. While acknowledging some remorse from Cooper, the judge imposed a three-year community order that included participation in various programmes, unpaid work, costs, and a sexual harm prevention order. Subsequent to the sentencing, Cooper expressed regret for his actions, labelling them as “idiotic” and “Grade A stupid.” He reaffirmed his interest in naturism but acknowledged his profound error in judgment and expressed contrition for his behaviour. When asked about the probation service’s assessment of him as a risk to children, Cooper accepted their evaluation, demonstrating a degree of self-awareness and acknowledgment of the gravity of his actions.
The case sheds light on the severe consequences of possessing and distributing indecent images, and the impact it has on victims and society at large. It also underscores the importance of addressing underlying issues that contribute to such behaviour and the necessity of rehabilitation and accountability in cases involving sexual offences. Cooper’s case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges surrounding individuals involved in such criminal activities, prompting a broader conversation on safeguarding vulnerable populations and implementing effective measures to prevent such crimes in the future.
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