Thomas Kniveton

Thomas Kniveton, a 43-year-old former software engineer from Valley Road, Killamarsh in Derbyshire, was sentenced at Chesterfield Magistrates Court sitting as Derby Crown Court for possessing an extensive collection of indecent images and videos of children. Between August 2018 and June 2023, Kniveton amassed 886,691 such files, many of which depicted 'distressed' youngsters being raped and sexually abused, as reported by the Derbyshire Times on 15 December 2025.

The court heard that police discovered the material on Kniveton's devices following an investigation. Although less than half of the images and videos had been categorised, over 500,000 remained unassessed, highlighting the sheer scale of the collection. 'Thousands' of thumbnails from the online media app Kodi were found, which Kniveton used to save 'favourites', including videos showing children aged seven to eight years old 'clearly in distress' being raped and sexually abused. Initially, Kniveton denied making indecent images but admitted the charge on the day his trial was due to begin.

Recorder Graham Huston, in delivering the sentence, addressed Kniveton directly, stating: 'The number of images and videos in this case is extremely high. The A images relate to the rape of literally thousands of children. In accessing that material you condoned the brutal rape of each child and you are as culpable as if you were in the room while it took place.' Huston further emphasised: 'If you and people like you didn’t search out this material there would be no demand and countless children might be saved from this horrendous abuse. You are someone who has taken pleasure in watching these children being raped and abused.' Despite Kniveton having no previous convictions and denying to probation that he derived sexual pleasure from the material, the judge bound by sentencing guidelines imposed a 24-month jail term, suspended for two years.

The decision to suspend the sentence was influenced by the potential for rehabilitation through probation rather than a 'relatively short' custodial term. Kniveton was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity days and was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. His barrister explained mitigating factors, including stress from a highly-paid job, a £300-a-week cocaine addiction which he had since reduced, complete cessation of drinking, long-term use of sedative Zopiclone due to insomnia, and a recent diagnosis of pernicious anaemia. The case underscores the severe consequences of possessing child sexual abuse material, with Derbyshire Police leading the investigation that uncovered Kniveton's activities.