Man downloaded indecent images of girls aged as young as two (From This Is Cheshire)

Man downloaded indecent images of girls aged as young as two

7:30am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News

Warrington Crown Court

A PERVERT who admitted possessing extremely pornographic images of children was given a two year community order at Warrington Crown Court on Monday.

Andrew James, aged 49, of Liverpool Road, admitted one charge of possessing 2,350 indecent photographs, 15 charges of making indecent photographs and three charges of possessing extremely pornographic images.

The images ranged in seriousness from category one to five.

John Hedgecoe, prosecuting, said the sickening images were mostly of young girls, aged two, six and four.

The case was uncovered on March 6, 2010, following an investigation by Gloucestershire Police, called Operation Oliver. James was found to have 673 indecent images.

He was arrested on December 11, 2010, when officers raided his home and seized his laptop, mobile phone and other computer equipment.

When he was arrested he had a different surname, the court was told.

He changed his name by deed poll on July 5, 2011.

James admitted viewing the images and cited “personal reasons in his life” as an explanation.

Since his arrest, he said, he has not viewed any indecent images and had sought professional counselling.

He told police in an interview he was “disgusted with himself”.

Simon Berksen, defending, said James had taken steps to address his deviant behaviour.

James was of previous good character, the court heard.

Judge David Hale told James: “You have made considerable effort yourself to put these offences behind you and move on.”

James was given a two year supervision order and ordered to go on the Northumbrian sex offenders course, sign the sex offenders register for five years and banned from working with children.

His computer will also be subject to police checks .