Norwich man transitioning to live as woman sent 'sick' images

Alfie Howe, 25, who has undergone transitioning surgery, had been a student in Lincolnshire when police first became aware of an indecent image being uploaded from a device belonging to the defendant in 2021.

Norwich Crown Court heard police attended an address in Norwich where Howe had been living and seized a mobile phone, on which were found a number of indecent images and messages.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Chris Youell, prosecuting, said police found more than 500 images - at least 228 of which were Category A - the most serious.

Also discovered were "lurid" and "graphic" conversations with others about "abusing children", including babies, who appeared in the images.

The court heard the Telegram app, which users can set messages to self-destruct, was used by Howe in some of the messages sent.

Alfie Howe leaving court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Howe, formerly of Bull Close Road, Norwich, appeared in court on Tuesday after admitting four counts of distributing indecent photos of a child, three counts of making indecent photos of a child and one offence of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Judge Andrew Shaw said he had the "greatest of concerns" about Howe - who broke down during and after the hearing - and insisted the images were "depraved" and "sickening".

Imposing a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years Judge Shaw recognised the defendant had not offended in the years that have past since committing these offences.

He ordered a 12-month mental health treatment requirement, accredited programme of up to 40 sessions and 150 hours unpaid work.

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Howe, who is "continuing transitioning", had been going through a "difficult time" at the time of the offending and was "awaiting surgery".

He said it was a "difficult and uncertain time" for Howe who had moved back home after being at university.

Mr Oliver said Howe, who suffers from ADHD and autism, felt "socially isolated" and was in a "very dark and bad place".

He said the offending was brought about by the isolation as well as the defendant's obsessive and compulsive behaviour.

But Mr Oliver said Howe had shown remorse for the offending which dated back to 2021 with no further offending.

Howe was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and put on the sex offenders register, also indefinitely.