Aberystwyth Student Sentenced Over Dark Web CSAM Downloads

An Aberystwyth University student received a suspended sentence after downloading 79 indecent images of children from the dark web.

An Aberystwyth University computer science student has avoided immediate prison after admitting to downloading and possessing indecent images of children obtained through the dark web.

Elisha Chikwezvero, 22, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on September 17 after pleading guilty to the legal offence of making 79 indecent images of children between September 2022 and December 2024.

The court heard that the images had been downloaded rather than created by Chikwezvero. Of the 79 images, 45 were classified as Category A, the most serious category under UK law.

Chikwezvero also admitted possessing 36 extreme pornographic images involving animals and one prohibited image of a child.

The court heard that police seized his phones during a search of his accommodation. Chikwezvero admitted searching the dark web for sexual material involving animals, while the indecent images of children were found stored on one of his devices.

The material had been kept inside a secure vault on his phone. Chikwezvero said the vault was intended to prevent family members from discovering the contents if they accessed the device.

He denied having a sexual interest in children.

During sentencing, Recorder Mark Powell KC said the images involved real children who had been abused. The judge described Chikwezvero’s offending as sustained and deliberate and said he had minimised the seriousness of his actions.

The court heard that Chikwezvero had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty to the offences.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must complete a rehabilitation course and carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

Chikwezvero was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

His defence highlighted his remorse and personal circumstances. The court also considered the delay between the investigation and the case reaching sentencing.

The case illustrates the distinction between the legal offence of “making” an indecent image and actually producing the material. In this case, the images involving children were existing material that Chikwezvero accessed and downloaded before storing them on his device.

The suspended sentence means Chikwezvero will not immediately serve the eight-month prison term, but the sentence can be activated if he breaches the conditions of the suspension or commits further offences.

Source: Wales Online and Cambrian News