Kyle Fisher

A Sheffield man, Kyle Fisher, has been sentenced for downloading a large number of illegal child abuse images, some involving children as young as two or three years old. The case came to light after police seized several of his electronic devices in June 2022, revealing a collection of 1,222 indecent images categorised under UK law as A, B, and C, with 407 in the most serious Category A.

During the sentencing hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on 28 October 2025, Recorder Ian Mullarkey highlighted the aggravating factors, including the extremely young age of the victims shown in the images, describing them as 'deeply pained or distressed'. He rejected Fisher's claim that the downloads were inadvertent, stating that viewing such material anywhere in the world constitutes participation in a trade that causes 'lifelong trauma' to the children involved. 'They have suffered significant abuse because of what you did, here in the United Kingdom,' the judge told Fisher.

In addition to the indecent images, Fisher's devices contained 245 Category B images, 570 Category C images, four images of extreme pornography depicting bestiality, and 1,593 prohibited images of children, which include non-photographic representations such as cartoons and computer-generated images, as defined by Crown Prosecution Service guidelines.

Fisher, residing on Boynton Crescent in Shirecliffe, Sheffield, pleaded guilty earlier in the month at Sheffield Magistrates' Court to charges of possessing indecent images of children in all three categories, along with possession of extreme pornography and prohibited images. The judge noted mitigating factors such as the three-year delay since the devices were seized, Fisher's depression and anxiety, and his expressed regret and shame. Describing Fisher's lifestyle as a 'solitary, internet-focused existence', Recorder Mullarkey emphasised the need for rehabilitation to address the root causes of the offending.

The sentence imposed was 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, alongside a programme requirement of 26 sessions and an 18-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Fisher must register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, restricting his internet use and requiring him to retain browsing history. This case underscores the severe consequences of possessing child abuse material, with South Yorkshire Police having investigated following the initial seizure.