Kyle Bunn

Kyle Bunn, a 33-year-old recluse from Lowestoft, Suffolk, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court for possessing indecent images of children and attempting to engage in sexual communications with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

Between 22 January and 24 January 2023, Bunn exchanged messages with an undercover police officer who had created a profile indicating they were a 14-year-old schoolgirl. Bunn quickly asked if he could send explicit images of himself and proceeded to share explicit pictures and videos. He also requested images from the 'schoolgirl' and urged her to engage in sexual activity, instructing her to touch herself.

Following the investigation, police searched Bunn's devices and discovered more than 140 indecent images and videos of children. Among these were 33 Category A items—the most serious category—47 Category B items, and 63 Category C items. The victims depicted ranged in age from as young as 18 months to 17 years old, including both boys and girls. One particularly disturbing image showed a child estimated to be between 18 months and three years old.

Bunn, residing at Europa Road in Lowestoft, was described in court as 'extremely immature' and someone who had 'effectively spent his entire life in his house and online'. He admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children, as well as attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

At Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Patricia Stewart imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Bunn was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and required to attend up to 40 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. The court heard that Bunn was taking steps to address his behaviour, such as leaving his home daily.

The case was investigated by Suffolk Police, highlighting the use of decoy operations to target online child sex offenders. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, 'making' indecent images encompasses actions like downloading, opening attachments, or accessing relevant websites.