Internet pervert downloaded 23,000 sick images and films of children

David Williams had more than 1,200 of the most serious category A images, and a Category A child abuse film which lasted more than three hours, Teesside Crown Court heard.

“The defendant was arrested after a raid on his home,” said Harry Hadfield, prosecuting. “Police found a number of devices on which still and moving images of abuse were found.

“He was bailed pending further inquiries.

“While on bail police received further information about this defendant’s activities.

“He was arrested again after more images were found on his computers.”

The court heard Williams was found to have 1,209 Category A images out of a total collection of more than 23,000 indecent images and films.

Williams, of Laird Road, Hartlepool, admitted two charges of distributing indecent images of child, six charges of making indecent images, and six charges of possessing indecent images, all between August 2015 and July last year.

Garry Wood, defending, said in mitigation: “Mr Williams is a man of previous good character who is in work, although he is currently suspended. He leads a fairly isolated lifestyle, and became almost addicted to downloading these images after his mental ability was compromised by excessive use of cannabis.”

Judge Tony Briggs jailed Williams for 15 months.

The judge told him: “This was a large collection of indecent images, and there will have been a large amount of harm done to the children in their creation.”

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years.