A serial sex offender has been jailed for 10 years after being caught with almost 50,000 child abuse images.
Daniel Tunney, of Manor Way, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children (IIOC) and breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
The case against him began in September 2024, after Cheshire Police received information that the man had been engaging with indecent images of children online.
Officers from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team searched his address, where they found three unregistered devices. A mobile, a hard drive and a memory card.
The case against him began after Cheshire Police received information that the man had been engaging with indecent images of children online
Cheshire Constabulary
As part of his sex offender registration conditions, the 42-year-old is required to notify authorities of any digital devices he owns or has access to.
His devices were found to contain indecent images and photos after digital forensic analysis.
They included 603 category A images, 240 category A videos, 735 category B images, 40 category B videos, 46,045 category C images, and 13 category C videos.
Also found were 104 images and 36 videos of extreme pornography.
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Another 72,659 images and videos are uncategorised.
When interviewed by police, Tunney replied “no comment” to all questions, but was nevertheless charged due to all the evidence against him.
He then pleaded guilty.
After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Nathanael Johnston said: “Tunney is a prolific sex offender who posed a significant risk to children. During our investigation, we found that he was in possession of more than 90,000 indecent images of child sexual abuse.”
Daniel Tunney, of Manor Way, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced
Cheshire PCC
“Through the work of our officers, we were able to quickly bring him to justice and he is now facing the consequences of his actions behind bars.”
Detective Constable Meg Griffiths, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “It is important to note that these crimes are not victimless, and as this case demonstrates, we are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who engage in online child sexual exploitation and play a part in the sexual abuse of children in Cheshire and beyond.”
