+44 (0)161 228 2244

Indecent Image Solicitors

Indecent image allegations often depend on detailed digital evidence and the conclusions drawn from how files were found, stored, accessed or shared. The presence of an image on a device does not, by itself, explain who was responsible for it or the circumstances in which it came to be there.

Our solicitors will examine evidence carefully, consider whether the prosecution can prove the necessary elements of the offence and challenge conclusions that are not supported by the wider technical evidence.

Draycott Browne has more than 25 years of experience defending serious criminal allegations and is recognised by Chambers UK for Crime. Our team also includes solicitors accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation scheme, providing experienced representation in cases where digital evidence requires particularly close scrutiny.

If you have been contacted by the police, had devices seized, been arrested or charged in connection with indecent images, contact our criminal defence team for confidential advice.

How we can help you

Our Indecent Images Lawyers have been helping people accused of possessing and downloading indecent images since 1998, using the experience gained to provide the best-possible defence for all our clients.

We undertake a thorough examination of all evidence to build a complete picture of your case and compile your defence. This includes employing forensic computer analysts and other specialists where required. Ultimately, our objective is to protect you from a custodial sentence and ensure the correct judgment is reached.

Total communication throughout the process is a core part of our ethos. Our team is available 24/7 and maintain regular contact from beginning to end to ensure you always know the status of your case.

We can work with you from your initial police interview through to the end of the process, providing you with total legal support throughout.

Whatever your situation we can help you so please don’t delay.

Speak to an expert

Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for Sexual Offences

Our Indecent Image OFFENCES Team

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What are indecent images?

The Protection of Children Act 1978 makes it an offence to take, make, distribute or show indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, as well as possessing them with a view to distribution. Section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 creates the separate offence of possessing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 also creates an offence of possessing certain prohibited non-photographic images of children.

‘Making’ indecent images is a broad term, which includes:

  • Opening an attachment on an email containing an image
  • Downloading an image from a website onto a computer screen
  • Storing an image in a directory on a computer
  • Accessing a website in which images appear as part of an automatic ‘pop-up’ mechanism.

Some common scenarios covered by indecent images law include:

  • A person under the age of 18 who creates, possesses and/or shares sexual imagery of themselves with a peer under the age of 18 or adult over 18
  • A person under 18 who possesses and/or shares sexual imagery created by another person under the age of 18 with a peer under the age of 18 or an adult over 18
  • A person over the age of 18 who creates, possesses and/or shares sexual imagery of a person under the age of 18

This is not an exhaustive list, however, and we have seen a variety of other situations covered by these offences. In general, an offence is committed is a person possesses, distributes or produces indecent images of children under 18, including:

  • Photographs
  • Videos
  • Computer data which can be converted into images or video

The law has also developed to address newer technologies. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduced offences relating to tools designed to create or facilitate the creation of child sexual abuse images, including AI-based image generators.

Although most commonly used for images of children, indecent images laws can also extend to images of animals.

What are the penalties for the possession or distribution of indecent images? 

When establishing a fair penalty for anyone found guilty of committing indecent images offences several factors will be taken into consideration:

  • The number of images owned
  • The age of the subject(s) featured in the images
  • The vulnerability of the subject(s)
  • The amount of pain or distress suffered by the subject(s)

In addition to this, the Sexual Offences Definitive Guideline defines images and videos by category, this will also be taken into consideration when establishing punishment:

  • Category A images show penetrative sexual activity
  • Category B images show non-penetrative sexual activity
  • Category C images show erotic posing

The court will also consider whether the images have been deliberately stored and the perceived risk posed by the person in possession of the images.

The penalties depend on the specific offence. Possession of indecent images under section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 can carry up to 5 years' imprisonment on indictment, while offences involving taking, making or distributing indecent images under the Protection of Children Act 1978 can carry more severe penalties.

Being subject to sexual offence investigations such as this can also have an incredibly negative impact on your career, particularly for those involved in areas such as teaching, medicine, policing or social work. Having a team of expert indecent images defence solicitors fighting your throughout is vital.

24 hour availability

Arrests are rarely anticipated, which is why we are available around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, to assist you at the police station and provide you with immediate legal advice, whenever you need us.

Funding your defence

Indecent image cases can require substantial preparation, particularly where the prosecution relies on data recovered from phones, computers, cloud accounts or other digital devices. The funding arrangement should reflect the amount and complexity of evidence that needs to be reviewed.

Legal advice and representation at the police station are free. If you are charged, Legal Aid may also be available depending on your financial circumstances and the circumstances of the case.

Private funding can provide greater scope for detailed analysis of digital evidence, including the circumstances in which files were downloaded, stored, accessed or shared. Where appropriate, it can also allow specialist forensic experts to be instructed to examine devices, account activity or technical findings relied upon by the prosecution.

Our Solicitors will explain the likely work involved, the funding options available and any areas where additional preparation may be particularly important to your defence.

Specialist Indecent Image Offence Lawyers

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Indecent Image Solicitors today.

Get in Touch

Contact our Indecent Image Solicitors

When faced with the accusation of possessing indecent images, we understand how stressful this can be, it is imperative that you seek the best legal services available to you.

Contact our expert criminal solicitors in Manchester today. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

The Sexual Offence Lawyers at Draycott Browne is highly regarded, nationally across the legal spectrum and is noted for consistently delivering positive results. Our solicitors possess a breadth of technical knowledge across the range of Sexual Offences that will provide you with the expertise required when facing such sensitive allegations and investigation by the police.

As one of the UK's leading Criminal Law Firms, we regularly act for clients in London and throughout the North West including Manchester and Liverpool regarding Sexual Offences and indecent image law accusations, when expert legal representation and advocacy is needed. By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and experienced sexual offence solicitors who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law.

Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, With your freedom at stake, If you or somebody you know has been arrested and needs expert legal representation, call Draycott Browne today or complete our contact form, for the very best criminal defence for allegations of sexual offence.

Frequently Asked Questions for Indecent Image Offences

Yes, receiving indecent images of children is a criminal offence in the UK, even if they are unsolicited or not actively downloaded. Under the Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is illegal to:

  • Possess indecent images of anyone under 18
  • Distribute or share such images, including forwarding or uploading
  • Make images — which includes saving, downloading, or even viewing them in a browser cache

If an individual receives an indecent image and takes no action to report or delete it, they could still face prosecution for possession. Immediate legal advice should be sought in such circumstances.

In cases involving indecent images, the prosecution must provide robust digital evidence to secure a conviction. This may include:

  • Image files located on phones, computers, or cloud storage
  • Metadata showing when and how the files were accessed or downloaded
  • Chat logs or messages related to the acquisition or sharing of images
  • Browser history and download records
  • Expert forensic analysis proving the user had control over the device or account

Mere presence of an image is not always sufficient; the Crown Prosecution Service must prove that the accused knowingly possessed the image.

Indecent images of children are categorised according to their severity, as defined by sentencing guidelines:

  • Category A – Images involving penetrative sexual activity, bestiality, or sadism. These are the most serious and carry the highest penalties.
  • Category B – Images involving non-penetrative sexual activity, such as masturbation or indecent posing involving sexual context.
  • Category C – Indecent images that do not fall within A or B but still meet the legal threshold of indecency, including erotic posing.

Each category influences the sentence, with Category A often resulting in custodial sentences, especially if distribution is involved.

Yes, deleted images can still be considered possession if they are recoverable and the prosecution can prove the accused had knowledge and control over them before deletion.

Even if the images are stored in a computer’s recycle bin, temporary folders, or unallocated disk space, they may be retrieved through forensic analysis. The courts may treat this as continued possession, especially if there is evidence the individual deliberately attempted to hide or destroy the material.

Yes, police have the technical capability to recover deleted images using forensic tools. During the execution of a search warrant or digital investigation, officers often seize computers, mobile phones, USB drives, and cloud accounts for detailed analysis.

  • Digital forensic experts can retrieve files that were deleted but not securely erased
  • Internet cache and residual data may also reveal attempts to view or download illegal material
  • Deleted messaging history and encrypted apps may be examined, depending on access

Attempting to delete images does not guarantee protection from prosecution and may, in fact, be interpreted as an admission of guilt or consciousness of wrongdoing.

Please Get in Touch

We are ready to assist.