Predator Martin Sparks Locked Up for Child Abuse Image Offences
Martin Sparks, 47, from Maldon Walk, Redbridge, has been jailed for two years and four months at Snaresbrook Crown Court. He was also slapped with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Repeat Offender Caught Red-Handed
Sparks pleaded guilty to five breaches of his SHPO, making and possessing indecent images of children (categories A and B). He was caught after specialist police executed a search warrant on 18 June 2020, acting on intelligence that Sparks had downloaded illegal images via peer-to-peer software.
Previously convicted in June 2018 for making indecent images of children, Sparks had received a suspended two-year sentence and an SHPO “until further order.” But he broke the law repeatedly, with five recorded SHPO breaches.
Hiding Evidence in Shoes Didn’t Help Sparks
- Police seized a computer tower Sparks used to download images.
- An undeclared tablet was found, another breach of his SHPO.
- Sparks used his home router to surf the illegal content.
- When arrested, two USB sticks loaded with 233 category A and 17 category B child abuse images were found hidden in his shoes.
Sparks admitted all offences during his police interview, revealing he stuffed the USBs in his shoes when officers raided his home.
Detective Swears Justice Will Prevail
“Sparks is now behind bars after committing the same hideous offence once again. The evidence we gathered meant he had no option but to plead guilty. Although this is not a contact offence, every single image contains a child victim of an appalling crime. When people like Sparks seek out these images, they fuel the market for this abuse,” said Detective Constable James Cavenham.
“The Met will continue to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who download online images of child sexual abuse.”
For advice on keeping children safe online, visit safe.met.police.uk.
