Prolific sex offender jailed for possession of indecent images of children

A prolific sex offender who was found with thousands of indecent images of children on his device has been jailed.

Daniel Tunney of Manor Way in Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 3rd January where he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The 42-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children (IIOC) and breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

The case against him began in September 2024, after Cheshire Police received intelligence that Tunney had been engaging with indecent images of children online.

As a result, officers from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team conducted a warrant at his address on Tuesday 24 September.

As part of his sex offender registration conditions, Tunney is required to notify police of any digital devices he owns or has access to.

During the warrant and a subsequent search of his address, Tunney was arrested, and officers seized three unregistered digital devices - a mobile phone, a hard drive, and a memory card.

Following a digital forensic analysis of his devices, officers discovered Tunney was in possession of thousands of images and videos displaying child abuse, these included at least 603 category A images, 240 category A videos, 735 category B images, 40 category B videos, 46,045 category C images, and 13 category C videos.

He was also found in possession of 104 images and 36 videos of extreme pornography.

A further 72,659 images and videos remain uncategorised.

When interviewed, Tunney answered “no comment” to all questions, but was charged with the offences regardless due to the amount of evidence gathered against him.

Tunney was left with no choice but to plead guilty.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Nathanael Johnston said: 

“Tunney is a prolific sex offender who posed a significant risk to children.

“During our investigation, we found that he was in possession of more than 90,000 indecent images of child sexual abuse.

“Through the work of our officers, we were able to quickly bring him to justice and he is now facing the consequences of his actions behind bars.”

Detective Constable Meg Griffiths, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: 

“It is important to note that these crimes are not victimless, and as this case demonstrates, we are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who engage in online child sexual exploitation and play a part in the sexual abuse of children in Cheshire and beyond."

To report a sexual offence call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit: 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.

Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on:

0800 555 111

Pictured - Daniel Tunney of Manor Way in Crewe.