Jail for man caught with 23,000 indecent images of children

38-year-old claimed he had 'habit he could not stop'

A Ramsey man who was caught with almost 23,000 indecent images of children has been jailed.  

Daniel Paul Ashenden told police downloading the still and moving photographs was a ‘habit he could not stop’.

At Douglas Courthouse today the 38-year-old’s claim that he was not sexually motivated by the content was described as ‘rubbish’ by the deemster who sent him to prison for 16 months.

Police raided Ashenden’s property, on The Crescent, on 30 September last year – they seized nine electronic devices including laptops, computers, hard drives, USBs, and a phone.

Investigations revealed 22,989 still and moving images were downloaded between 2018 and 2021 – Ashenden told officers in interview it was ‘an itch he needed to scratch’.

Nearly 10,000 images, mainly moving, were on Level 4 and 5 of The Copine Scale – a system which categorises the severity of images of child sex abuse; Level 5 is the most serious rating.

Ashenden later admitted 10 offences of making indecent images of children and one of distribution after officers uncovered he’d shared links containing images on the ‘Kik’ instant messaging service.

Defending Ashenden, who has no previous convictions, his advocate described him as ‘socially awkward’ and an ‘introverted man’ who would ‘withdraw’ to his bedroom and his computer.

Detailing his struggles with autism, OCD and anxiety and depression she added: “At the time his thinking was extremely insular. He now realises the seriousness of this type of offence.”

Addressing the issue of remorse Ashenden’s advocate said he felt ‘disgusted’ with himself adding: “He’s brought shame and a loss of reputation – not only on himself but on his family members.”

During sentencing Deemster Graeme Cook said cases like this always ‘trouble’ the courts due to the ‘extreme misery’ which is caused to the children who are abused for the images.

Addressing Ashenden in the dock he told him: “If there were not people viewing them and distributing them the problem would not be as widespread."

“People like you who sit in the dock for this offence should expect little mercy.” - Deemster Graeme Cook

He said the number of images recovered was ‘extremely worrying’ and dismissed claims the images were not for sexual pleasure adding: “Frankly, what other reason could anyone have for downloading sexual images of children?”

Jailing Ashenden Deemster Cook also imposed a two-year extended licence, on release, telling him: “You, potentially, are a danger to the public.”

Ashenden was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register, and under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, for 10 years which limits the technology he will be allowed to use on his release from prison.