Daryl Stokes

Daryl Stokes, a 41-year-old man from Middlesbrough, was jailed for five years and three months after being caught with a digital paedophile manual and extensive collections of indecent images of children, just a year after his release from a previous prison sentence for similar offences.

Stokes had been released from prison in August 2021 following a 17-month sentence handed down in December 2020 for making indecent images of children. Upon release, he was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which required him to declare all online devices to his offender manager and imposed strict restrictions on his internet use. However, on 27 August 2021, Cleveland Police visited his home on Springfield Road, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, acting on intelligence about his online activities. During the search, Stokes admitted to possessing an undeclared mobile phone hidden in his loft.

The search uncovered disturbing content on his devices, including a four-minute digital slideshow manual providing graphic instructions on how to sexually abuse children of different ages and evade detection by their mothers. Prosecutor Christopher Baker described the manual's content as horrific during the hearing at Teesside Crown Court. Additionally, police found 574 category A images—the most serious classification—including 211 videos totalling 42 hours of footage depicting babies and children as young as six being sexually abused. There were also 1,500 category B images with 51 videos (seven hours) and 1,843 category C images with 62 videos (nine hours).

• Stokes had created accounts on Twitter and Discord using the alias 'Ben P'.
• He utilised a Google Cloud account and private browser software, all in violation of his prevention order.

Stokes pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, six counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and possession of the paedophile manual. In mitigation, his barrister Robert Mochrie stated that Stokes had been candid about his sexual interest in children, explaining that he had trawled the internet and delved into its darker corners. Mochrie noted Stokes' failed marriage as a contributing factor and emphasised the need for help, which he hoped would be provided in custody.

Judge Anthony James Brown condemned Stokes' actions, stating: 'The sexual harm prevention order was put in place when you committed similar offences in 2020. It is clear to me that you were fully aware of the terms of your sexual harm prevention order when you were released from prison. You have breached the order in an utterly calculated way. The category A images depicted children as young as six...with the most appalling degradation inflicted upon them and abuse that was physically painful to them. To cap it all - the digital paedophile manual. It's hard to fathom the level of depravity required to create such a publication. I regard you, I'm afraid, as a committed paedophile.'

The judge imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements on Stokes. The case was reported by Teesside Live on 17 August 2022, based on proceedings at Teesside Crown Court.