18 years in prison for man who created ‘immoral’ images of children using artificial intelligence

A student who used artificial intelligence technology in the “worst possible way” to turn photos of real children into “immoral” indecent images has been jailed for 18 years.

Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton, used a computer program to create images which he shared and sold online over an 18-month period, making £5,000.

Bolton Crown Court heard the graphic design student, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 16 children, also encouraged the rape of children in online chat rooms.

Detective Chief Inspector Jen Tattersall, of Greater Manchester Police, said Nelson was “an extremely dangerous man who thought he could get away with what he had done by using modern technology”.

Nelson pleaded guilty to several charges, including making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children and encouraging the rape of a child under 13.

He also admitted attempting to cause a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and publishing an obscene article.

Nelson, of Briggsfold Road, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, including six years on licence, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Jeanette Smith, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was “deeply disturbing” that Nelson was able to transform the photographs to create images of “the most depraved nature”.

He warned that those considering using AI “in the worst possible way” should “be aware that the law applies equally to actual sexually explicit photographs and AI or computer-generated images of children.”

Nelson used a computer program to create the images and sold or traded them in encrypted online chat rooms.

The court heard he had received requests from people who wanted him to create explicit images of children being harmed both sexually and physically.

He was arrested in June 2023 and his devices were seized and examined.

“Technology now enables previously unthinkable violations against innocent children,” said Derek Ray-Hill of the Internet Watch Foundation.

“We are discovering more and more synthetic and AI images of child sexual abuse, and they can be disturbingly lifelike.

“The fact that Nelson profits from making this material to order after customers send him images for manipulation is on another level of appalling.

“Hopefully this gets the message across: This material, even synthetic versions, is a crime.

“If you make it or have it, you are breaking the law.”