Porn ring on the internet

11:01am Tuesday 16th January 2001

A DARTFORD computer consultant has admitted using 10,000 images of children being sexually abused to join an internet paedophile ring.

But Gavin Seagers, age 29, of Burnham Crescent, Dartford, was the last of seven men to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute indecent images of children at Kingston Crown Court.

He was arrested during Operation Cathedral, in September 1998, along with 100 men around the world, alleged to be part of an international paedophile ring called The Wonderland Club, based on the internet.

Membership of the club was by invitation only and on payment of 10,000 indecent pictures of children.

National Crime Squad spokesman, Jackie Bennett said: After a legal wrangle last Wednesday, Seagers changed his plea to guilty. He was the last of the seven defendants to admit to the charge, fighting to the bitter end.

Vast quantities of computer equipment, videos and indecent material were seized, including 750,000 images and more than 1,800 computerised videos depicting children suffering sexual abuse, during the operation.

Police, charities and social service workers are still trying to trace the children featured in thousands of images uncovered by the operation.

So far none have been located, and police say it is impossible know where in the world the images might have come from.

The maximum sentence for distribution of paedophilic images is three years. The judge is obliged to reduce the sentences because the seven men pleaded guilty.

The penalty will rise to 10 years when the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill goes through parliament later this year.

National Crime Squad deputy director, Bob Packham, said: This operation demonstrates that national agencies have the ability to take on paedophilia, drugs, or any other type of serious crime.

Seagers will be sentenced with the six other members of the gang in February.

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