Luke Halenko

A 22-year-old man from Tillingham, Essex, has been committed to Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to possessing and making indecent images of children. Luke Halenko, of North Street, Tillingham, was arrested in 2022 following intelligence received by police indicating that he had downloaded more than 30 indecent images on devices linked to him.

The case came before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where Halenko hid his face as he left the building. Prosecuting, Rohini Majumdar outlined how police obtained a search warrant and attended Halenko's home address, seizing all devices. Examination of one device revealed ten Category A images – the most serious kind, often depicting sexual abuse inflicted on children – along with 14 Category B and nine Category C images. Majumdar stated: “Police were alerted to the defendant based on intelligence there were indecent images of children accessed on devices linked to the defendant.” She added that the Crown submitted the case should be committed to Crown Court for sentencing due to the number of images across categories.

Halenko admitted three charges of making an indecent image of a child. The offences occurred in 2022 when he was 19 years old. His defence counsel, Denise Cole, argued that the matter was not serious enough for Crown Court and that magistrates had sufficient powers to sentence. Cole said: “My application today on behalf of the defendant is to adjourn the matter for a full pre-sentence report to prepare on him. He is 22 – you will see the offences took place in 2022. At the time, he was 19. There are 33 images in total – I will respectfully submit, [that is] not a lot, and you do have enough powers to deal with this matter.” She highlighted that Halenko had no previous convictions and suggested rehabilitation options through the probation service.

However, the magistrates' legal advisor recommended sending the case to Crown Court because Halenko had admitted to three offences, deeming the magistrates' sentencing powers insufficient. Halenko will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, January 6. The case was reported by the Maldon and Burnham Standard, with coverage by senior crime and court reporter Daniel Rees.