Shaw practised as a GP between 2005 and 2013
A former GP and paediatrician has been jailed after he was caught with one of the largest ever haul of child abuse images.
David Shaw used anonymous sharing techniques on a data sharing network called ‘Freenet’ to download 1.278 million indecent images of children (IIOC).
The former GP from Taunton, Somerset practised as a GP between 2005 and 2013.
The 48-year-old was arrested at his former home in Maidstone, Kent, in February 2019 after officers at the National Crime Agency managed to pin down his identity.
When interviewed, Shaw admitted that he had been downloading IIOC since 2005, and had been expecting a visit from law enforcement at some point.
He described himself as a “criminal” and a “bad” person, and admitted to being sexually attracted to pre-pubescent girls.
He added that he became depressed when he tried to cease viewing IIOC and stopped working as a GP at this point.
Shaw was charged with three counts of making and possessing indecent images of children and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on 18 October last year.
He was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday to two years and two months in prison.
When sentencing him, HH Judge Saxby commented that as a specialist in paediatrics, Shaw more than others would have been aware of the harm inflicted on the children in the images he downloaded.
He also handed Shaw a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
NCA Senior Investigator Tony Smith said: “This is one of the largest collections of child sexual abuse images that the NCA has ever dealt with, the scale of which was shocking.
“Not only did Shaw abuse his position of trust, he helped fuel the sickening trade in child sexual abuse images by downloading this material, which re-victimises every child.
“Tragically, behind these images are vulnerable children being exploited just to satisfy paedophiles.
“The NCA continues to pursue offenders like Shaw, make them accountable for their actions and to protect victims of online child sexual abuse.”
If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of child sexual abuse, you should report it to your local police on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. Help and advice for children, parents and carers from the NCA’s CEOP Education Team can be found on http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
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