A quarry worker with an addiction to porn was found to have downloaded two child abuse videos showing girls as young as three from the internet. John Reed, 62, of Kilmersdon Road in Radstock, pleaded guilty to two charges of making an indecent images of a child and appeared before Bristol Crown Court for sentence today. (July 22, 2022)
The recorder Mr Richard Tutt handed him a four months prison sentence suspended for 20 months, with rehabilitation, unpaid work and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop reoffending. Reed was also ordered to pay £425 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.
The recorder told a remorseful Reed: "The offences are aggravated by the ages and vulnerability of the children depicted. They were movies, not just photographs."
READ MORE: Nailsea man downloaded illicit photos for 20 years
Two laptops found to have contained illicit material were forfeited for destruction. Reed was also told to notify his whereabouts to police for five years.
David Scutt, prosecuting, said police attended Reed's home and he surrendered some 13 electronic devices. Two laptops were found to contain child abuse movies showing girls as young as three, and deletion software was found - which Reed said was not for illegitimate purposes.
Reed told police he was having counselling for porn addiction. He conceded he was attracted to images of teenage girls and was very sorry for his actions.
Andrew Banks, defending, said: "He has undertaken therapy. He's completed the Lucy Faithfull Foundation course and there is sufficient prospect of rehabilitation."
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