Ryan Jackson: Barnsley man found with child abuse images also shared instructional terrorist material

A Barnsley man who admitted terrorism offences and to possessing child abuse images has been jailed for more than two years.

31-year-old Ryan Jackson was arrested in July 2021 as part of an intelligence led investigation into an online right-wing extremist chat group.

A search was conducted at Jackson’s home following his arrest, resulting in 25 digital exhibits being seized and subjected to detailed examination.

He was found to have collected terrorist publications and had shared instructional terrorist material in the Telegram group.

Members of the Telegram group from across the UK came together to exchange racist views, propaganda, and terror manuals, while advocating the use of violence to further their cause.

Linked investigations have led to six other members of the Telegram chat being convicted and sentenced to over 40 years imprisonment for terrorism and firearms offences.

While expert investigators were examining the devices, it was also found that Jackson, of Wath Road, Brampton, Barnsley, had amassed over 900 indecent images of children, and over 200 extreme pornographic images involving animals.

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Speaking after Jackson’s conviction, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “I am grateful to the officers in this case that have conducted a thorough investigation and ensured that Jackson has been brought to justice for the number of crimes that he has committed.

“This case demonstrates the seriousness of engaging in extremist behaviour online and the real world consequences of doing so.

“Anyone found to be involved in such activity can expect to be identified and put before the courts.

“I would encourage anyone who is aware of extreme material online, to report it to police so we can take appropriate action.”

Jackson was charged in November 2022, and pleaded guilty to the following offences at hearings in September 2023 and March 2024: five offences of collect/make a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism; one offence of dissemination of a terrorist publication; three offences of make indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of children; one offence of possession of prohibited images of children and one offence of possession of extreme pornographic images.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, along with a further year on licence, bringing his total sentence to one of three-and-a-half years.

Jackson will also be subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Report to police in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. In an emergency, always dial 999.