Probation for man charged with possessing over 300 indecent images
The man was sentenced for possessing more than 300 indecent images over a four year period beginning when the defendant was 14. The man had been granted anonymity due to the risk he posed to himself
A judge at Derry Crown Court has said that the possession of indecent images is not ‘a victimless crime’ but involves young people being ‘abused to order.’
His comments came as he sentenced a man for possessing more than 300 indecent images over a four year period beginning when the defendant was 14.
The man had been granted anonymity due to the risk he posed to himself.
Passing sentence Judge Neil Rafferty KC said that it was ‘a difficult case’ as the defendant had struggled with his sexuality from a young age.
He said the PSNI had raided the defendant’s home and seized three devices.
On this devices they found 166 category A images, 131 Category B and 115 Category C.
The judge said that the defendant had been suicidal at one stage but was now in ‘a better place.’
He added that he deeply regretted what he did.
The defendant was sentenced to three years probation with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to run alongside that.
He will have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of five years.