A paedophile has been convicted and sentenced to 28 months imprisonment at Bournemouth Crown Court for 20 offences of possessing and distributing indecent images and movies of children
Retired schoolteacher Ian Bell, 66, from Corfe Mullen, was sentenced on 27 June at Bournemouth Crown Court.
In April 2014, detectives were alerted to Bell’s online activities and the Force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) launched an investigation.
Various computers and electronic equipment were subsequently seized at Bell’s home address.
Thousands of shocking indecent images and movies of children were identified by the POLIT team. Further examination revealed Bell had also distributed this material to other paedophiles.
On release from prison Bell will be given a Sex Offenders’ Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Director of Public Protection, Acting Detective Superintendent Chris Naughton said: “We are using technology to combat offenders who use the internet as a weapon to attack and abuse children.
“POLIT work closely with similar units both in the UK and abroad to identify and bring to justice those criminals who use cyberspace to sexually exploit children.
“If you commit these crimes we will find you, arrest you and bring you to justice.
“I also urge those abusing children to seek professional help from either their GP or another professional organisation such as Stop it Now! of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.”
The Paedophile Online Investigation Team can be contacted on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
For more information visit:
- UK safer internet centre website. www.saferinternet.org.uk
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre. www.ceop.police.uk
- CEOP resources suitable for parents and children of different ages. www.thinkuknow.co.uk
- www.stopitnow.org.uk
- www.internetmatters.org
