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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Adam Everett & Thomas George

Man described himself as 'martyr for paedophiles' after threesome gone wrong led to police discovering vile stash of images

A man described himself as a "martyr" for paedophiles after a threesome gone wrong led to police discovering his vile stash of indecent images.

Mikael Janesson, 41, was jailed for 20 months yesterday after officers found thousands of child abuse images on electronic devices at his home. Ahead of his sentencing, he attempted to justify his actions in a lengthy seven-page letter submitted to the court.

In the sick document, he called himself a "martyr for paedophilia" and compared himself to Alan Turing - the mathematician who cracked the Enigma code during the Second World War but was persecuted for being gay - the Liverpool ECHO reports. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Janesson had detailed an "alternative society which goes against societal norms" in his writings.

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The "disturbing account" also made "incredulous comments about society taking a stance against paedophiles similar to those taken against homosexuals in the past". Janesson even "suggested some of the children were enjoying themselves" in images of sexual abuse he had collected, but then made a "desperate attempt to step back from his views" in a second letter.

Janesson had insisted to his solicitors on penning the initial lengthy note to then court, described as a "seven-page explanation". But he then sent a second note in which he did a "U-turn".

When asked to comment on the matter by Recorder Harris, defence barrister Jason Smith said "they speak for themselves". Recorder Ian Harris replied: "I think the least said (the better)."

In his sentencing remarks, the judge added that Janesson had shown "warped and perverted beliefs" and had an "ingrained and unhealthy sexual preoccupation with children". Recorder Harris said the pervert had attempted to "justify his possession of abhorrent images of children" and "distance" himself from his crimes.

Prosecutor Callum Ross had earlier described how the defendant and his girlfriend met a man in a bar on September 4 last year then invited him back to their apartment on Victoria Street in the city centre to "have a threesome and take drugs". Upon leaving, the two exchanged contact details and he subsequently returned for more sex and drug taking with the couple on September 18 2021.

But afterwards, Janesson "made remarks which worried him". He stated he "believed you should be able to have sex with anyone who you wanted, regardless of age" then pulled out his phone and showed him a series of indecent images showing girls having sex with adult males - as well as extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Mikael Janesson, 41, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court (Liverpool Echo)

The alarmed male alerted the authorities, and police raided the address on November 11. Officers seized several devices from Janesson on this occasion - including a Lenovo laptop, two OnePlus mobiles phones, a hard drive and a USB stick.

An analysis found that they contained 759 indecent images of children graded in category A, pictures and videos showing the most serious forms of abuse. He had also downloaded 922 images in category B and 776 in category C.

Janesson, now of Rose Lane in Mossley Hill, had been collecting these materials - which featured girls aged between two and 12 - for nearly four years. Also discovered were 2,406 cartoon-style images depicting children engaged in sexual activity and eight bestiality videos.

Jason Smith, defending, said: "This is a complex case. It is a very intelligent defendant who for nine to 12 months has attempted to deal with what are very clear and entrenched issues.

"It is to his credit that he is attempting to come to terms with those issues. It is to the credit of his partner that she stands by him.

"She is intent on assisting this defendant, not just to deal with the issues he clearly has but to build something together and develop a future for himself and for her. What is also clear is that this is a man who needs help and needs assistance and needs significant input from agencies to help him and to push forward from the steps undertaken in the past 12 months.

"He has shown remorse and he is showing a positive attitude now. It is accepted these are grave offences."

Janesson - who has no previous convictions and was supported by his girlfriend in the public gallery - admitted possession of indecent images, three counts of making indecent images, possession of extreme pornographic images, possession of prohibited images of children and supplying mephedrone. He was jailed for 20 months.

Sentencing, Recorder Ian Harris described him as "cunning and manipulative" - adding: "You are described as an intelligent man. I add to that adjective a cunning man as well.

"The victim in this case are of course the children being sexually exploited by older people and are highly vulnerable. The impact on them is massive and has a cumulative and corrosive impact on their wellbeing.

"There is no doubt in the short and long term that they will suffer harm. Your criminal activities perpetuated this foul market - you encouraged this market to flourish."

Janesson waved to his partner as he was led from the dock down to the cells. The judge also handed him a 15-year sexual harm prevention order and a notification requirement.

Forfeiture of the electronics was ordered. Janesson will be required to pay a victim surcharge.

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