Ex-GP Jailed Over Massive Hoard of Child Abuse Images
A former GP and paediatrician has been locked up for over two years after being caught with one of the largest collections of child sexual abuse images ever uncovered by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
David Shaw Used Anonymity to Hide Horrific Crime
David Shaw, 48, from Taunton, Somerset, exploited anonymisation technology on the peer-to-peer network Freenet to download indecent images of children. Despite his efforts, NCA investigators unmasked him.
Officers arrested Shaw at his former home in maidstone/" title="Maidstone" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Maidstone, Kent, in February 2019. A forensic search of his devices revealed a staggering 1,278,256 indecent images across 16 devices, with many in the most serious Category A.
Paediatric Specialist ‘Knew the Damage He Was Doing’
Trained at Guy’s Hospital Medical School and practising as a GP from 2005 to 2013, Shaw admitted during interrogation to downloading indecent images since 2005. He confessed to expecting an eventual police visit.
“I am a criminal,” Shaw told officers. “I’m a bad person.” He admitted sexual attraction to pre-pubescent girls and said attempts to quit viewing the images left him depressed, forcing him to quit medicine.
Judge Slams Shaw’s “Betrayal of Trust”
Shaw pled guilty to three counts of making and possessing child abuse images at Maidstone Crown Court last October. Yesterday, he was sentenced to two years and two months behind bars, plus a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
HH Judge Saxby said Shaw’s paediatric expertise meant he “more than most knew the harm inflicted on the children” depicted in the images.
NCA Warns: This Crime Re-Victimises Children
NCA Senior Investigator Tony Smith called Shaw’s collection “one of the largest” ever seen by the agency. Smith blasted Shaw for “abusing his position of trust” and fuelling the vile trade in child sexual abuse images.
“Behind these images are vulnerable children exploited to satisfy paedophiles,” Smith stated. “The NCA will continue to hunt down offenders like Shaw, hold them accountable, and protect victims.”
Report Abuse and Get Help
- Suspect abuse? Call your local police on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.
- Support for children, parents, and carers is available from the NCA’s CEOP Education Team at www.thinkuknow.co.uk.
