Brett Saunders admits helping run child sex abuse site

Brett Saunders had hidden a hard drive in an air vent at his home, but officers found it during a raid

A man has admitted being a "global moderator" on a dark web site dedicated to the sharing of child sexual abuse content.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigated Brett Saunders, from Swindon, in connection with the site which had more than 2,000 members.

They found a message saying he saw his role in helping share abusive photos and videos as an "honour".

Some of the content was "horrific" said a senior officer.

NCA Branch Commander Adam Priestley said: "Brett Saunders was directly responsible for facilitating the sexual abuse of children.

"He became part of a global community of paedophiles to further his own sexual interest in children and his dedication to this platform was such that he was appointed as a moderator."

Saunders, 50, was arrested at his home in the Freshbrook area in August 2022, and a number of devices seized, including a hard drive hidden in an air vent.

The dark web site was open on his laptop and Saunders was logged into his account.

When interviewed by officers he admitted holding the rank of "global moderator" and that he had personally uploaded indecent images of children to the site.

'Horrific videos'

Investigators discovered Saunders had previous convictions related to the sexual exploitation of children, the NCA said.

Analysing his account, they found more than 3,000 posts made by him along with private messages he sent to other users, showing his contribution was key to keeping the website running.

"The posts showed Saunders had quickly risen through the ranks due to his commitment and encouragement of others to discuss and distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse," the NCA added.

When another use congratulated Saunders on his promotion to global moderator he said it was an "honour" and that he would "try to keep doing it to the best of my abilities".

Saunders uploaded a total of 115 images and videos of abuse to the site. A further 65,000 files relating to indecent images of children were recovered from his devices.

Mr Priestly added: "The site hosted horrific videos, images and discussions on child abuse, some of which Saunders posted himself or actively encouraged others to do so.

"He did this brazenly, clearly assuming he was protected by the dark web."

After his arrest, Wiltshire Police charged Saunders with breaching a sexual harm prevention order that had been placed on him when he was released from prison for his previous offending.

For that offence he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for the breach.

Later, in 2023, he was charged with a further nine counts, including arranging and facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, distributing and making indecent images of children in categories A-C, and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Saunders pleaded guilty to all of the new charges at Swindon Magistrates Court on 19 January.

He will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 5 March.