A YOUTUBE star with more than 11 million followers has been spared jail after admitting downloading nearly 3,000 child sex abuse images.
Callum Powell, 34, was a member of the prominent Brighton-based parkour group Storror – athletes who make films of their exploits running, jumping and vaulting over obstacles.
Powell, 34, was a member of the Storror YouTube channel which had 11m followers Credit: Getty Images
Callum Powell arriving at Brighton Magistrates’ Court Credit: Eddie Mitchell
Powell used an , hard drive, and two SD memory cards to amass the horrific child abuse collection over a two-year period.
Cops arrested him in June last year after a search of his bedroom uncovered 2,649 Category C images, 105 Category B images, 178 Category A images, an image of bestiality, and one prohibited image of a child.
Some of the digital files depicted the horrific violation of children as young as six.
The prosecution, led by Amy Fraser, told Brighton Magistrates’ Court that officers were alerted to the material after indecent images were uploaded using a account linked to Powell.
Powell was described as a popular, well know face around Brighton who now has to disguise himself in public, was sentenced wearing a grey hoodie.
Appearing in the dock, Powell fidgeted nervously as District Judge Amanda Kelly handed down a 12-month sentence, suspended for a year.
The court heard that the 34-year-old initially claimed he inadvertently received the images via an AI program used to remove clothes from photos downloaded from , but he quickly went on to admit seeking them out for his own sexual gratification.
Defending Powell, Steve Wedd said his client had developed a “healthy interest” in pornography as a young man that evolved into an interest in , but he pleaded guilty on a full, open basis in May.
Callum Powel had pleaded guilty to possessing 2,932 child abuse images Credit: Apple Podcasts
He arrived at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in a grey hoodie Credit: Eddie Mitchell
Mr Wedd described the global fallout of the case as a “pebble in this pond” with ripples extending far beyond Sussex.
He added that Powell’s close-knit group of 20 years had “sacked him emotionally and commercially.”
Judge Kelly told Powell that while he did not directly abuse any children, his actions perpetuated the market for that abuse and contributed to the continuing harm of real children.
The Category A images were of the “upmost gravity” Judge Kelly added.
She noted that he had demonstrated a sexual interest in children over a significant period, but accepted his genuine remorse and the fact that he has “lost everything” including his international prominence.
Alongside his suspended sentence, Powell must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, pay £272 in costs and surcharges, and register as a sex offender for ten years.
Under a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, he is banned from using social media or owning any internet-accessible device without informing the .
Storror has since removed all videos featuring Powell from its website, and former fans have reportedly burnt a book he authored.
Hos former colleagues in the Storror group described his offending as a betrayal.
The national governing body, Parkour UK, released a statement saying it was appalled by the offences and condemned any action abusing positions of influence to exploit the vulnerable.
In a statement, Parkour UK, the sport’s national governing body, said: “Parkour UK is appalled by the offences admitted by Callum Powell at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 7 May.
“There can be no such place for this abhorrent behaviour, and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“We condemn any action which abuses positions of power and influence to exploit the vulnerable.
“Safeguarding is fundamental to our sport, and we take our responsibilities in this area seriously.
“We know this is deeply upsetting for many people across our community.
“It is a stark reminder of the importance of constant vigilance and continued action around safeguarding for all those associated with our sport.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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