Junior doctor jailed for running a dark web site which shared indecent images of children

A NHS junior doctor who worked with elderly patients has today been jailed for his role in a dark web chat site dedicated to sharing indecent images of children.

Kabir Garg, 33, from Lewisham, London, held an account on a dark website which allows users to share links to indecent images of children and provides message boards to discuss them. ‘Moderators’ of the site actively encourage users to interact, rewarding them with additional access and benefits.

Today, at Woolwich Crown Court, Garg was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Between May 2021 and November 2022, Garg, who worked as a psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, facilitated the sexual exploitation of children by acting as a ‘moderator’ of the site.

He oversaw the smooth running of the site - enforcing rules, providing users with access to private sections, and providing advice in one-to-one private messages on how to share images child sexual abuse.

Messages he sent demonstrated his responsibility, demoting members who did not abide by specific rules. In a message to one user, he disciplined them for not following a specific rule of greeting new guests in a chat room.

Garg said, “you were dropped today for not following the rule despite warning. please ensure to greet rooms when you enter in future.”

He shared numerous links to other users which contained 69 indecent images of children. This included four category A images, four category B images, and 44 category C images.

After his arrest on 2 November, the National Crime Agency uncovered thousands of indecent images on a MacBook laptop and SD card at Garg’s flat, including 522 category A images, 330 category B images, 3,253 category C images, and one prohibited image. Images, still and moving, included children performing sexual acts on adults.

A National Crime Agency investigation and subsequent prosecution review linked Garg address to the site through IP data. When they gained access to the one-bedroom flat, they found the laptop switched on with the site open and his account logged in.

Examinations of his devices also uncovered numerous medical journals and articles which discussed the impact of child sexual abuse on a child mentally, demonstrating his understanding of the devastating impact such actions have on children.

Bethany Raine, Specialist Prosecutor of the CPS’ Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said:

“Kabir Garg’s crimes are especially shocking, given his role as a NHS psychiatrist, treating vulnerable members of the public, and his understanding of the psychological impact of sexual abuse on children.

“The CPS and National Crime Agency built a compelling case, uncovering extensive material from his devices. When faced with the evidence of his crimes, Garg had no choice but to plead guilty.

“This case illustrates the determination of investigators and the CPS to pursue child sexual offenders, including those who have moved their vile activity onto the Dark Web. These sites are horrific and have no place in society.

“The CPS’ Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit was set up in April 2022, as a specialist unit dedicated to prosecuting child sexual abuse, in all its forms. We are determined to help stop the devastating impact of these crimes on victims.”

At a hearing on 9 January 2023, Garg pleaded guilty to one count of facilitating the exploitation of children, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possession of a prohibited image of children.