Man who created indecent images using AI-enabled technology sentenced to 24 years

Our investigation into a depraved man who got sexual gratification from turning real, normal images of children into computer-generated child abuse material, has seen him sentenced to 24 years. This will consist of 18 years imprisonment, six years on license, and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Hugh Nelson has been jailed

Hugh Nelson (08/01/1997) of Briggsfold Road, Bolton pleaded guilty at Bolton Crown Court last month (Friday 9 August 2024) to 11 child sexual offences, and had already pleaded guilty to another five offences in July 2023. More information on his offending can be found here.

See below some of the moments Nelson confessed to his offending during his first police interview. **Warning, the content of this video may be distressing for some viewers**

Throughout this investigation, our top priority has been identifying the children within the images located on Nelson’s devices, or any others which may have been at risk of harm through Nelson’s online networks with like-minded individuals.

Whilst this is often difficult due to the nature of online offending, on this occasion, it has led us to uncover offenders and victims based in other parts of the world such as Italy, France, and the US. The evidence and intelligence we have collected has now been passed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for them to make arrests, safeguard children and conduct investigations.

DCI Jen Tattersall, Head of our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said, “This case is a real testament to how we and criminal justice partners, such as the CPS, can evolve and adapt as offenders do, to ensure we are still able to seek justice for victims, despite new trends and ways of offending.

“Nelson is an extremely dangerous man who thought he could get away with what he was doing by using modern technology. He was wrong and has now felt the full force of the law for his actions.

“The use of computer software and AI within online offending is an area we are noticing is growing, but my message to offenders who think creating indecent material in this way means they will not be caught out and relentlessly pursued is to think again.

“Hugh Nelson was offending on the ‘clean web’, not the dark web, as is often the misconception with online sexual offending. It is important that parents are aware of cases like these so they can educate themselves on emerging threats posed online and take appropriate action to protect and safeguard their children from harm. The internet should be a safe space for all, but sadly there are perverse individuals out there looking to exploit those who are vulnerable or encourage others into criminal behaviour.

“Protecting children is our biggest priority, and our proactive approach to tackling child protection crime has seen positive outcomes increase and overall crime decrease. We would encourage anyone suffering to come forward to us so we can take robust action.”

Jeanette Smith, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said, “It is extremely disturbing that Hugh Nelson was able to take normal photographs of children and, using AI tools and a computer programme, transform them and create images of the most depraved nature to sell and share online.

“Technology is rapidly evolving and, unfortunately, so too is its risk to children. I hope this conviction sends a clear message to those who exploit this technology and inflict harm on children: you will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the CPS and brought to justice.”

How to report

Information on online child abuse can be found on our website here Advice for parents, guardians and professionals | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk).

If you are a victim of online child abuse, or worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child, find out below all the different ways you can get in touch. Even if you are not one hundred per cent sure, please report your concerns. Your information could help our trained officers and staff protect the child.

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If it is not an emergency, please get in touch in any of these other ways:

• call our non-emergency, 24/7 number: 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101
• visit a police station to speak to an officer in person
• contact the NSPCC to speak to a professional practitioner
• contact the children's social care team at your local council
• contact Fearless confidentially and anonymously