A Southampton man has been sentenced to two years in prison for possessing indecent images of children, following an investigation that showcased the remarkable capabilities of Hampshire Police’s digital detection canine unit.
Timothy O’Keefe, 58, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday where he faced charges related to the possession of more than 700 indecent images of children. The offences occurred over a two-year period while O’Keefe resided in Portsmouth and Andover.
The breakthrough in the case came during a July 2022 search of O’Keefe’s then-residence on Arundel Street, Portsmouth. After officers discovered a laptop that had been thrown into a neighbouring garden, they deployed PD Dizzie, one of the force’s specially trained ‘Digi Dogs’.
These remarkable canines are specifically trained to detect electronic devices, including phones and storage media. PD Dizzie’s keen nose led investigators to a USB stick containing numerous indecent images of children, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution.
The investigation, led by the Internet Child Abuse Team, spanned multiple locations as O’Keefe moved between Portsmouth and Andover during the period of his offending, which ran from June 2022 to June 2024.
The case highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by law enforcement in tackling digital crimes. Digital detection dogs like PD Dizzie have become valuable assets in modern policing, capable of locating electronic devices that might otherwise remain hidden during traditional searches.
O’Keefe, who now resides in May Close, Southampton, pleaded guilty to the charges before receiving his two-year custodial sentence. His conviction demonstrates the police force’s commitment to protecting children and bringing offenders to justice, while showcasing the vital role that police dogs continue to play in modern law enforcement.
