A paedophile has been convicted of making indecent images of children after using the dark web to download more than 14,000 pictures and videos.
Mark James Dale, aged 45, was arrested by investigators from the National Crime Agency at his home in Market Place, Romford, in July last year.
His laptop had been linked to a known paedophile forum.
Dale, who has previous convictions for child sexual abuse offences, frequented chat rooms and used TOR software to search for abuse material online.
A seized laptop and tablet were found to contain 14,222 indecent images and videos of children – ranging from category A, the most serious, to C.
In 2011 and 2019, Dale was convicted for similar offences and was bound to strict rules under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). These included registering any digital devices with the Metropolitan Police Service.
Last week, on Friday 5th February at Barkingside Magistrates Court, he pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of children.
On 15th February at Snaresbrook Crown Court, he will be sentenced for all charges, including breaching his SHPO.
NCA Operations Manager Martin Ludlow said:
“Every image or video Dale downloaded and viewed depicts a child being exploited.
“This is an individual with a history of committing child sexual abuse offences. His willingness to continue with his behaviour, and use of the dark web to try and circumvent those who were monitoring him, shows a total disregard for victims, and the seriousness of his crimes.
“Working with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure those who pose a risk to children are brought to justice.”
Stay up-to-date with more news from the front line by subscribing to our free newsletter. Subscribe by clicking HERE.
Got a story? Send your videos and pictures to contact@emergency-services.news You can also find us on Twitter @ES_News_
Before you go...
We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories & videos which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services & NHS by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' back in 2018 was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services & NHS which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of you, our readers.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
Yet more evidence, were any needed, that the nonsense community punishments are completely ineffective. Had he been locked up in the first place, the cost of further investigation and prosecution would have been saved, the congestion in the courts eased and our children safer. He also would not have been able to re-offend, a very considerable benefit to the nation as a whole.