Man, 27, downloaded child porn pictures

8:27am Saturday 17th May 2008

A WINSFORD man is facing a prison sentence after admitting downloading more than 95 indecent photographs of children onto his computer.

Michael Whitwood pretended to be a 16-year-old girl and chatted to youngsters on the internet.

Whitwood, 27, of Wharton Road, admitted one charge of possessing an indecent photograph or psuedo photograph of a child or children and 15 further charges of downloading the pictures.

The offences happened over a period of almost three-and-a-half years.

The sexually explicit images include a picture of a girl aged between five and eight years with a man. Another shows an 11-year-old boy with a woman, while others show images of lewd behaviour between children.

Maread Neesom, prosecuting, said Whitwood's activities had come to light after an investigation by the Cheshire Police paedophile unit.

On January 11, 2007 police had confiscated Whitwood's computer.

Ms Neesom said: "In interview he said he had told people who were emailing him that he was a 16-year-old girl.

"He thought they would email him. He admitted receiving a number of indecent images of children."

Stephen Rogers, defending, said his client had made full admissions and co-operated fully with the police.

He said: "He has been on bail for 16 months.

"I don't propose to mitigate matters at this time.

"Clearly he doesn't seek to excuse the offences. The prosecution case is accepted."

The case was adjourned until May 30 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Whitwood was told custody was the likely option.