A 30-year-old man from Colchester, Cosmin Cercel, has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison for sexually abusing a child and creating indecent images using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Cercel appeared at Ipswich Crown Court after a police investigation was launched in December 2025 following a victim’s disclosure to their mother. This disclosure prompted authorities to take immediate action.
During an initial search, officers discovered extensive indecent material on Cercel’s phone. A specialist review of the evidence revealed the existence of a second victim and additional offences, highlighting the scale of the abuse committed.
Investigators found that Cercel had manipulated images to make the second child appear naked by using AI-generated pseudo-photographs. This represents a disturbing new method of exploitation involving advanced technology.
The charges against Cercel included attempted rape (which he denied and was left to lie on file), four counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, multiple counts of taking indecent images (Categories A, B, and C), and making pseudo-photographs of a child.
On 2 February 2026, Cercel admitted nine of the ten charges at Ipswich Crown Court, which led to his sentencing.
Detectives emphasised the vital role of victim disclosures and the use of cutting-edge forensic phone analysis in uncovering serious child sexual abuse and bringing offenders like Cercel to justice.
Originally published by UKNIP.
