Warren David Manners

An Eltham man, Warren David Manners, aged 45, has been sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment following the discovery of numerous indecent images of children hidden in his residence. The case, handled at Woolwich Crown Court, underscores the ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Police to combat online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Manners, residing at Sowerby Close in Eltham, was already a registered sex offender due to a prior conviction for possessing indecent images of children. He was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that barred him from possessing digital devices or internet-enabled equipment without notifying his local Jigsaw sex offenders management unit. Despite this, on 22 March 2023, officers from the Metropolitan Police's Online Child Sex Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) Team executed a search warrant at his address. Manners initially denied ownership of any phones, tablets, or laptops, but the search uncovered 32 digital devices concealed throughout the flat, including in a cupboard secured with multiple locks. Additionally, hundreds of still photographs of children were found inside the property.

Forensic examination revealed that 21 of the seized devices contained indecent images categorised under UK law. In total, police discovered 447 Category A images—the most severe classification—241 Category B images, and 333 Category C images, along with one Category C indecent photograph of a child. These findings led to Manners being charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possession of indecent images of children, and three counts of breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Manners appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on 23 March 2023, where, given the strength of the evidence, he pleaded guilty at his first hearing and was remanded in custody. Sentencing occurred on 4 May 2023 at Woolwich Crown Court. Detective James Cronin of the OCSAE team commented: 'Manners is by his own admission a paedophile who has repeatedly ignored court orders put in place to help him desist from his criminal behaviour. This court result shows that Met officers will do everything possible to bring perpetrators to justice.' Superintendent Helen Flanagan of Specialist Crime added: 'Thanks to the dedication of specialist officers from the Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation unit we were able to bring this offender to justice and make London a safer place for children. Officers from this dedicated unit are working tirelessly to take predators off the streets.'

The case highlights the challenges in managing registered sex offenders and the effectiveness of specialised police units in enforcing protective orders. Source: News Shopper, based on Metropolitan Police statements.