UK teacher jailed for possessing and creating AI-generated child abuse images
A UK teacher was convicted and jailed for three-and-a-half years after police found he had possessed over 43,000 child abuse images and used AI tools to generate additional illegal content while working in positions involving contact with children.
What happened
Charles Cornelius, 57, a teacher from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire who had been living in Thailand, was arrested at Manchester Airport on 9 August 2023 after an account linked to him uploaded 10 indecent images of children to the internet in June 2022.
Analysis of his devices discovered more than 43,000 child abuse images, both genuine and AI-generated, along with prompts used to create AI images and two 'paedophile manuals', which he created despite attempts to encrypt devices and conceal the material.
Reported impact
Cornelius had been teaching in various countries, including positions involving contact with children, while stockpiling this material.
Index analysis
The NCA stated that Cornelius 'sought out and created images showing horrific abuse of children, including using AI to create further depraved imagery,' and described his creation of manuals as reflecting 'a disturbing desire to prey on the most vulnerable in society.'
Governance controls
Cornelius pleaded guilty to all charges at Manchester Magistrates' Court in September and was sentenced at Chester Crown Court in December 2025 to three-and-a-half years in prison. He also received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.