Dark web user jailed for multiple child sexual abuse offences

A dark web user has been imprisoned today for engaging in a variety of child sexual abuse acts which degraded victims.

Robert Chown, 48, pleaded guilty to 41 counts of offences ranging from causing or inciting children to engage in sexual activity to downloading and accessing child sexual abuse materials and has been sentenced to 18 years, extended for a further seven years, at Croydon Crown Court.

Law enforcement agencies from Australia, United States of America, Denmark, Netherlands, and the National Crime Agency in the UK - identified Chown as having an online persona ‘mAngie’ who was a leading figure present across a number of dark websites linked to the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

These websites enabled users to distribute and download child sexual abuse images and discuss their preferences. 

Chown was involved in causing or inciting children to perform sex acts on camera, which he would record. He then shared those self-generated sexual abuse acts with other members of his paedophile group on the dark web. On one dark web site forum, Chown posted 11,966 times and 258 of them had attachments with indecent images.

Robbie Weber of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused to victims by men like Chown cannot be understated.

“Chown has himself admitted to having a long term extreme interest in child sexual abuse imagery.  He was a prolific presence on the dark web, gaining notoriety amongst likeminded individuals who would access and share such vile and indecent material
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“He was a key player in causing or inciting children to engage in being filmed or photographed committing non-consensual sexual acts.”

Mr Weber added:  “I hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that the CPS will continue to relentlessly prosecute and pursue justice for those who sexually exploit children, whenever and wherever that abuse took place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. You are not alone and there is always help available.”

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Phil Eccles said: “Chown poses a significant danger to children, and our thorough investigation exposed him as a prolific offender who carried out depraved sexual abuse over a number of years.

“While this case is extremely distressing, we hope it reassures the public of our commitment to unmasking paedophiles who think that can operate anonymously online.

“Work with our international partners in the FBI and Europol has been key to this investigation.

“Today’s result is testament to the hard work of our investigative team and it is only right that Chown received a lengthy custodial sentence given the severity of his offending.”