“Landmark” prosecution for David Toal

October 24, 2024

In a case labelled “a landmark” prosecution by police, David Toal from Exchange Chambers has prosecuted a graphic design student who used artificial intelligence to create child abuse images that he then sold to other paedophiles.

Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton, accepted requests in online chatrooms for “bespoke” explicit computer-generated images depicting children being harmed.

Nelson, who admitted 16 offences, also used images of real children for some AI “artwork”.

David Toal, prosecuting, said the case resulted from Operation Influence, an investigation into the “creation and developing trends of AI in relation to child sexual exploitation”.

He added: “The use of AI is rapidly improving and the imagery is becoming more realistic.”

The defendant was identified as the administrator of a paedophile chatroom when he engaged in a conversation with an undercover officer in May last year, Mr Toal told Bolton Crown Court.

Nelson told the officer he took commissions from customers for images created by 3D modelling software and went on to send computer-generated images.

Mr Toal said: “The defendant said he had over 60 characters in total, ranging from six months to middle-aged, and he charged £80 to create a new character.”

Nelson was sentenced to 24 years. This will consist of 18 years imprisonment, six years on license, and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.