Connor Wright, a 31-year-old man from Middlesbrough, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for a series of horrific sexual offences against children. The sentencing took place at Teesside Crown Court, where it was revealed that Wright had filmed himself abusing young victims. His tattoo was clearly visible in the disturbing footage, which was discovered during a police raid on his home.

The court heard that Wright had normalised his abuse by showing his victims cartoons depicting sexual acts. He manipulated one child he raped by threatening them with prison if they disclosed the abuse, insisting it was a secret. The child later expressed reluctance to speak to the police but managed to document some of the incidents.

Wright pleaded guilty to 25 child sex offences, including child rape, voyeurism, and causing a child to engage in sexual acts. During the hearing, prosecutor Shaun Dodds detailed the charges while Wright appeared via video link from Holme House prison, looking down throughout the proceedings.

Police seized Wright's mobile phone, hard drive, and computer tower during the raid, uncovering numerous indecent images and 138 prohibited images featuring popular children's characters in sexual scenarios. The investigation revealed videos of Wright sexually abusing children.

The mother of one victim addressed the court, expressing the profound impact of Wright's actions on her child's mental health. She described her child’s nightmares and referred to Wright as a "monster" while in tears.

In his defence, Tom Bennett stated that Wright acknowledged his behaviour as "unforgivable" but was unclear about the reasons behind his actions. Bennett noted that Wright felt "almost grateful" for being caught, recognising the damage he had caused and expressing genuine remorse.

Judge Joanne Kidd condemned Wright's actions, stating that he had used computer-generated images to normalise the abuse. She expressed concern over how much longer the abuse might have continued had the police not intervened. Wright received an extended sentence comprising 18 years in prison and an additional five years on extended licence. He will serve two-thirds of his prison term before the parole board can assess his release.

A restraining order has been imposed, preventing Wright from contacting any of his victims. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Victoria Brown commented on the severity of Wright's crimes, stating, "Wright committed some of the most vile crimes imaginable and caused an immeasurable amount of trauma to his young and vulnerable victims." She praised the collaborative efforts of various police teams that led to Wright's conviction and emphasised the commitment to protecting children from sexual offences.

Authorities encourage anyone suspecting abuse or knowing a victim to report it to the police or contact independent charities for support.