17–year–old guilty of child porn offences

A teenage boy was caught with more than 7,000 child pornographic images on computer equipment when police raided his home in Hope Valley.

The 17–year–old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with eight counts of possessing indecent images.

The 7,528 images that were found included obscene photographs and videos of naked boys aged between ten and 14 years old.

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The teenager had been committed for sentence when he appeared before magistrates in Chesterfield on October 23.

He admitted to the charges when he appeared at Derby Crown Court.

Judge Andrew Hamilton told him: “It is in the public interest that you should be helped rather than be punished by being locked up.

“But if you refuse to abide by the help, I am afraid then prison it has to be.”

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The defendant will spend two years on probation and must not have equipment which can delete details of internet sites he visits.

Abigail Joyce, prosecuting, said the images were found on a computer and external hard drive.

Sarah Brown, mitigating, told the court: “When told how many he had actually downloaded, he was shocked at the number but clearly accepts that is what he had done.

“He is to some extent quite a vulnerable young man, given his personal problems and personal issues.”

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The court heard that the boy had fallen into the trap of looking at child porn.

Miss Brown added: “He became easily embroiled in this environment, perhaps not recognising the seriousness or the extent of his offending.”

“He certainly does now and prepared himself for a prison sentence.”

Judge Andrew Hamilton put the defendant on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.

He also imposed six months custody upon him, which was suspended for two years.

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