An individual, Luke Cowling Launceston Paedophile, has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment lasting nine years for his involvement in trying to organise the commission of a child sex offence, leading to the sexual exploitation of minors, as well as creating and disseminating obscene images of children.
Luke Cowling, a 27-year-old resident of Tavistock Road, Launceston, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday, 23 August, to receive his sentence. He had previously admitted to the charges of distributing indecent photographs of a child, producing indecent photographs of children, attempting to arrange or facilitate the sexual abuse of children, and causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of children.
Luke Cowling has been placed under a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years and is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.
Luke Cowling’s criminal behaviour was discovered when the Devon and Cornwall Police got information from the National Crime Agency (NCA) in August 2021. The NCA reported that a KiK account associated with Luke Cowling had shared a highly explicit video of a child on the internet, falling under Category A in terms of indecency.
Devon and Cornwall Police received a report from the Metropolitan Regional Organised Crime Unit regarding Luke Cowling’s online interaction with an adult profile that expressed a sexual interest in youngsters, in addition to the NCA referral. During this communication, Luke Cowling detailed his intention to assault the person’s seven-year-old daughter sexually, as it aligned with his predatory behaviour. An undercover officer was operating the profile.
Based on the information given to Devon and Cornwall Police, they carried out a search warrant at Cowling’s residence and confiscated various gadgets.
Analysis of the devices uncovered evidence that Luke Cowling had been communicating with a convicted paedophile in Merseyside who has subsequently been incarcerated.
Luke Cowling instructed the other individual to capture and share photographs and videos of his adoptive children engaging in abusive behaviour, resulting in the exchange of a large number of communications between the two parties.
Luke Cowling and the other individual engaged in the sharing of explicit photographs and videos depicting child abuse. Luke Cowling even coerced the other person into creating a document recognising his status as a paedophile and recognising Cowling as his superior. Luke Cowling was also discovered to have disseminated child abuse photographs to other people on the internet.
During the interview, Luke Cowling confessed to having a pedophilic inclination.
The investigating officer, Sophie House, stated that this was an intricate police inquiry that involved collaboration between the D&C Paedophile Online Investigation Team, the Merseyside Paedophile Online Investigation Team, the National Crime Agency, and the Metropolitan Regional Organised Crime Unit.
“We applaud the current verdict and trust that this conviction will act as a clear deterrent to individuals who possess an unlawfully distorted perception of consent and fail to recognise the broader consequences of child sexual abuse material.” The interaction between Luke Cowling and the other man was a genuine convergence of depraved intellects, compounded by Luke Cowling’s deep-seated sexual fascination with child sexual assault material.
Our commitment to investigating internet offences is unwavering, as we strive to ensure the safety of children and protect the public from individuals who intend to harm them.
By possessing child sexual abuse material, even if you are not the perpetrator, you are still actively supporting the sexual exploitation of a child somewhere on the globe. To those tempted to engage in such activity, we have a clear message: we are closely monitoring your actions, you will be apprehended, and you should anticipate our visit.
If you have been affected by crime, please visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.