A current police officer has been sentenced to prison after being found in possession of more than 500 images depicting child sexual abuse.
Devices confiscated from Mark Rosebury’s residence in Bacup, Lancashire contained various indecent images involving children. The 38-year-old was affiliated with Greater Manchester Police at the moment of his apprehension.
He admitted guilt to three charges of creating indecent images of minors, a count of possessing extreme images, and a count of possessing a prohibited child-related image. Consequently, he received an 18-month prison sentence.
Rosebury was alleged to have utilized three IP addresses to access and download the illicit images—one associated with his home address and two connected to the East Lancashire Railway, where he served as a volunteer.
During sentencing, Judge Altham remarked: ‘You accessed these images over a protracted duration. Let it be clear that these are vile, revolting, and shocking images, even during their time.
‘One can hardly fathom the torment, emotional distress, physical suffering, and long-lasting harm inflicted upon these young children exploited in such a manner, and your act of downloading them has fostered demand for such material and legitimized the actions of child exploiters.
‘Each of these children is a living, breathing individual who has been horrifically exploited for your viewing pleasure.
‘Your occupation offers no justification or rationale for resorting to witnessing the suffering of children.’
‘When law enforcement personnel engage in criminal activities, it results in a significant erosion of public trust in the overall police force.’
Detective Constable Aria Powell, from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, emphasized: ‘It is crucial to highlight that online offenses are not without victims. Those who view these abhorrent images are, in fact, enabling this type of crime, which impacts countless children globally.
‘We hold a definitive obligation to safeguard the public, particularly the most vulnerable, and this conviction should convey a firm message to perpetrators that you will face justice—regardless of your identity or societal standing.’
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, leader of Greater Manchester Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, stated: ‘The public rightfully anticipates the utmost professional integrity from those employed by the police, and it is evident that Mark Rosebury’s conduct fell egregiously short of that standard.
‘He ought to be ashamed of his actions and the consequent impact on public trust in the majority of officers who are committed, principled, and diligent individuals striving to serve their communities consistently.
‘We have collaborated with our colleagues in Lancashire throughout this case to ensure that Rosebury is held accountable for his actions.’
‘Rosebury remains on suspension from the force, and following his imprisonment today, we are legally entitled to terminate his pay with immediate effect. A misconduct hearing will now be expedited as there is no longer a risk of undermining criminal proceedings.’
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