Alicia Nkemla

Alicia Nkemla, a 19-year-old woman from Hulme, Manchester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court after being discovered in possession of hundreds of indecent images of children. The case came to light following a police raid on her home in October 2023, prompted by information received about her online activities.

Nkemla had begun selling sexual images of herself online when she was just 17, using platforms like the messaging app Telegram to engage with customers for payment. During these interactions, she received indecent photos and videos of children from the men she chatted with. Prosecutor William Donnelly told the court: 'She said she knew it was wrong to keep these images, but said she played along for the money.' Nkemla denied that the images were for her sexual gratification, claiming instead that she retained them for financial gain and male attention.

Upon searching her home on Scotforth Close, officers seized two mobile phones, which were found to contain hundreds of indecent images of children, including some involving extreme content and bestiality that she had encouraged in chats. The images depicted real children suffering abuse, a point emphasised by Recorder Paul Hodgkinson during sentencing. He addressed Nkemla directly, stating: 'Every one of those images you received is a real child. Somebody is receiving harm, despicable and unmentionable harm, as a result of some people’s thirst. It is far from a victimless crime. These images are of children being abused.'

Nkemla pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of indecent images of children and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Despite the severity of the offences, the judge considered her difficult childhood, as detailed in the presentence report, and opted not to impose a custodial sentence. Bursting into tears, Nkemla thanked the judge after he informed her barrister, Waheed Baber: 'I am not going to send your client to prison.' Mr Baber noted: 'The proceedings have had a positive and sobering effect.'

The court also heard how Nkemla had brought her mother to the hearing, prompting the judge to remark: 'You brought your mother to hear about what you were doing on the internet - imagine the thoughts your mother must have been having hearing that. You are responsible for that.' As she left the dock, Recorder Hodgkinson added: 'You could have had no argument about me sending you to prison... You need to consider yourself very lucky indeed.'