IT Expert Jailed for 25 Years Over Horrific Child Abuse on Dark Web
A 49-year-old IT professional, Robert Chown, has been locked up for 25 years after a National Crime Agency (NCA) probe uncovered his shocking abuse of thousands of children online. Chown admitted 41 charges, including inciting and recording child sexual abuse and distributing vile images across the dark web.
Global Manhunt Takes Down Dark Web Paedophile
The NCA exposed how Chown snapped and shared appalling photos and videos of children with an international paedophile ring. His twisted crimes spanned Europe and the US, with crucial help from the FBI and Europol.
In 2019, Chown infiltrated a secret forum dubbed “The Sanctuary,” a chilling hideout for child abusers. His sick introduction read: “Preferences…girls 8-11.” Over several years, he amassed hundreds of vile images and videos, including one of a 12-year-old girl he personally abused. Thankfully, she was identified and rescued.
Paedophile Pretended to Be Teen to Groom Kids as Young as Six
Posing as a teenage boy, Chown groomed youngsters as young as six to perform live-streamed sex acts at his command. He recorded these horrors and shared them with fellow predators on the dark web.
“Girls and boys as young as six years old were groomed by Chown to live stream sexual acts at his instruction, which he would capture and share with other paedophiles on the dark web.”
Chown Busted in Croydon, Sentenced to Life on Sex Offenders Register
Police caught Chown at his Croydon home in September 2023. They seized two phones containing over 2,000 indecent images and videos, plus 204 abuse commands written in Russian and Polish.
At Croydon Crown Court, he was given a 25-year prison sentence with an additional seven years on licence. Chown also received a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Phil Eccles said: “Chown poses a significant danger to children. Our investigation uncovered a prolific offender committing vile sexual abuse for years. This case is deeply upsetting, but it shows we won’t let paedophiles hide online.”
Crown Prosecutor Robbie Weber added: “The lifelong trauma victims suffer cannot be overstated. Chown was notorious on the dark web, sharing horrific material with abusers worldwide. Victims of sexual abuse are urged to come forward — you are not alone and help is available.”
