Connor Wright

Connor Wright, a 31-year-old man from Middlesbrough, has been sentenced to an extended 23-year term for a series of horrific child sex offences. Wright subjected young children to sexual abuse, filming the acts himself and using manipulative tactics to silence his victims. The case came to light following a police raid on his home, prompted by intelligence about his activities.

At Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Wright pleaded guilty to 25 offences, including child rape, voyeurism involving filming a naked child, and causing children to engage in sexual acts with him. Prosecuting barrister Shaun Dodds detailed how Wright's tattoo was visible in the incriminating videos recovered from his devices. Police seized Wright's mobile phone, hard drive, and computer tower during the raid, uncovering not only the abuse footage but also 138 prohibited images—computer-generated cartoons depicting popular children's characters in sexual activity. Wright used these images to 'normalise' the abuse, showing them to his victims to make the acts seem ordinary.

The court heard harrowing accounts from one victim's mother, who described the nightmares her child now endures as a result of Wright's actions. Addressing Wright directly, she called him a 'monster' while weeping in the courtroom. Wright, appearing via video link from Holme House prison and wearing rosary beads, kept his head down throughout the proceedings. In mitigation, defence barrister Tom Bennett conveyed Wright's admission to his probation officer that his 'behaviour is unforgivable', though he was 'not 100% clear' on why he committed the crimes. Bennett noted Wright's remorse and that he was 'almost grateful' to have been caught, given the damage inflicted.

Judge Joanne Kidd condemned Wright's premeditated manipulation, stating he had used the computer-generated images to normalise the sexual abuse. 'I shudder to think how much longer this abuse would have gone on for' without police intervention, she remarked. Wright was sentenced to 18 years in prison, followed by five years on extended licence, serving two-thirds before potential parole. A restraining order bars him from contacting his victims, and he must register as a sex offender for life.

The investigation was led by Cleveland Police's Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults Team, Digital Forensic Unit, and Paedophile Online Investigation Team. Detective Constable Victoria Brown highlighted the 'vile crimes' and the 'immeasurable trauma' caused to the vulnerable children, emphasising the force's commitment to pursuing such offenders.