Connor Wright – Middlesbrough

A paedophile that raped and abused young children has been handed an 18 year prison sentence and five years on extended licence

Connor Wright, 31, was caught after police discovered footage which he had filmed of himself sexually abusing his victims.

He threatened a child who he raped, telling them that they would ‘go to prison’ if they told anyone what he’d done.

Wright’s barrister claimed that the defendant was not ‘100 per cent clear’ why he committed his crimes, and that he was ‘almost grateful’ to have been caught.

Now Wright, from Middlesbrough, has been handed an extended prison sentence.

Teesside Live reported that Wright was caught after police raided his home and uncovered videos that Wright had filmed of himself sexually abusing children.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that Wright’s tattoo was clearly visible in the footage.

On Friday, the court heard that Wright “normalised” his horrific abuse by showing his victims cartoon characters engaging in sex acts with each other.

He told one child – who he raped – that they would “go to prison” if they told anyone and what was happening “was their secret”.

Later, the child said they “wouldn’t talk to the police lady” but wrote down some of what took place.

Wright pleaded guilty to 25 child sex offences at an earlier hearing including include child rape; voyeurism – where he filmed a naked child; and causing a child to engage in sexual acts with him.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, went through the charges one-by-one, as Wright listened on video link from Holme House prison.

Wearing rosary beads, he looked down for the entire hearing.

Mr Dodds said that police took Wright’s mobile phone, hard drive and computer tower away to be examined, in the house raid.

They found indecent images of children and 138 prohibited images of children – which were cartoons showing popular children’s characters engaging in sexual activity with each other.

The police then uncovered videos showing Wright sexually abusing children.

The mother of one of Wright’s victims spoke in court to describe the nightmares her child now suffers and the harm he has done to his young victim. The woman told Wright, “you’re a monster,” as she wept.

Judge Joanne Kidd told Wright that he had used “computer generated images to normalise the sexual abuse” to his victims. “Your manipulation of these children was premeditated,” the judge said. “I shudder to think how much longer this abuse would have gone on for had the police not received intelligence as to what was happening.”

Wright, of York Road in central Middlesbrough, was handed an extended sentence totalling 23 years.

The term is made up of 18 years in prison and five years on extended licence in the community.

He will serve two thirds of the 18 years before the parole board can decide if it is safe to release him.

A restraining order was put in place prohibiting Wright from contacting any of his victims again. He will sign the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.