Martial Arts Teacher Jailed for Child Abuse Images and Hiding Phone Passcode
A martial arts instructor in Lancashire has been handed a three-year prison sentence after admitting to online child sexual abuse offences and refusing to give up his phone passcode.
Aron Stacey Exposed for Sharing Sick Abuse Content
Aron Stacey, 38, from Accrington, east Lancashire, ran Aztec Martial Arts and swapped vile child abuse images and videos with an Israeli man on a photo-sharing website. The pair also discussed their twisted interests online.
Police arrested Stacey in September 2017. Despite his role teaching children, safeguarding checks found no prior complaints or reports from his students. Investigators uncovered indecent images on his Asus laptop and Samsung phone. Many were linked to a Skype account named “aztecmartialarts” featuring Stacey’s photo.
Shocking Offences Revealed in Court
At Preston Crown Court, Stacey pleaded guilty to:
- Making 11 category A (most severe) child abuse images
- Possessing one category B and 27 category C images
- Distributing one category A image
- Possessing extreme pornography involving sexual acts with animals
- Failing to give phone passcode to police
In interviews with National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, Stacey mostly stayed silent, only claiming his laptop was second hand, without explaining further. The NCA bypassed phone encryption after Stacey’s refusals to share passwords.
NCA Warns: Offenders Can’t Hide Behind Encryption
“Offenders cannot hide behind encryption and evade justice,” said NCA operations manager Hazel Stewart. “Behind every sexual abuse image is a child whose life has been utterly devastated. Men like Stacey fuel that suffering and keep the vile market alive.”
Stewart added that UK referrals of child sexual abuse material jumped dramatically from 43,072 in 2016 to 113,948 in 2018. Around 500 offenders are arrested and 700 children safeguarded monthly by UK police and the NCA.
Get Help: Protect Kids Online
Concerned about child safety? Visit the Thinkuknow website. This education programme helps kids and teens understand and reduce risks of sexual abuse and exploitation both online and offline.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation runs the confidential Stop It Now! helpline offering advice to those worried about their own or others’ behaviour towards children.
