Hartlepool man lied about stash of indecent photos of children on phone out of shame

Cleveland Police attended Mark Coser's home in January last year as a result of information they received, Teesside Crown Court was told.

His Sony Experia phone was seized by the officers.

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: “He gave an initial account that the phone had been used for normal social activities to access some legal pornographic sites and that he had no sexual interest in any children under the age of majority.

"The phone was submitted to the Investigation Unit and as a result of that examination it could be seen that the phone had in fact been used to access and acquire images from sites amounting to some 104 indecent photographs of children.”

Mr Perks said all of the images fell within the lowest categorisation of seriousness for indecent pictures of children.

The court heard Coser, 47, initially suggested to police somebody else had could have accessed his phone.

He later pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent photographs of children prior to August 2 of last year.

The court heard he originally denied responsibility out of shame.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said in mitigation: “His initial prevarication was no more than deep shame that Mr Coser felt when he was interviewed by the police.

"He described himself to be in a dark place at the time the offences were committed.”

Mr Constantine added he has no similar offences on his record and the last time he was in court was almost ten years ago.

The maximum punishment for the offence is up to 26 weeks in prison.

Coser, of Owton Manor Lane, Hartlepool, was made the subject of a community order for two years including 25 probation rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Deborah Sherwin said the only aggravating feature in the case was the number of images he had.

Coser must also keep police informed about where he is living for the next five years and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to manage his use of personal devices was made for the same length.

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