Carey Lyons

Carey Lyons, a 67-year-old man from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court for possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images, as well as breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The case, reported by the BBC, highlighted Lyons' long history of similar offending, with Judge Rafferty describing him as a 'barely functioning human being' who continued to re-offend despite prior convictions.

The offences spanned two periods: October 2020 and March 2023. In March 2023, while Lyons was hospitalised, staff noticed a laptop in his room and alerted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Upon his discharge, police searched his flat at Claremont House on Richmond Avenue in Londonderry and seized several devices, including phones and the laptop. Forensic examination revealed indecent images of children and extreme pornographic content on these devices.

At the time of his arrest in November 2023, Lyons was already a registered sex offender subject to a SOPO. During police interviews, he made full admissions to the possession of the images and the breach of his order. He later pleaded guilty to the charges. His defence barrister, Mr Barlow, argued that Lyons had a low IQ and lived an isolated life, describing him as 'totally and utterly inadequate' and devoid of relationships. Barlow explained a 'pattern' of behaviour where Lyons, under stress, would acquire a laptop, download images online, and await arrest, without sharing the material or engaging in chatrooms.

• Aggravating factors included Lyons' 'very significant criminal record for similar offending going back decades'.
• The judge noted his complex health needs and inability to live independently but deemed a custodial sentence 'beyond question' necessary.

The sentence imposed on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, was four years and four months, divided equally between prison and supervised licence upon release. Lyons will remain subject to a SOPO until March 2033 and is already listed on the Sex Offenders Register. The case underscores ongoing challenges in managing repeat sex offenders in the community.