October 2014
Chatroom comments lead police to pervert and 500 indecent pictures of children
A PAEDOPHILE caught with hundreds of indecent images of children has avoided prison. Neil Barker, 55, who logged on to an internet chatroom to access and discuss the images, was told the usual practice in a case such as his was to send the offender to prison.
But having observed a “demanding” sexual offences rehabilitation programme, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said he felt the public interest would “unquestionably” best be served by ordering Barker to attend such a course, as an alternative to jail.
Prosecutor John Thackray told Hull Crown Court how ten of the 500 images found on two laptops belonging to Barker were found to fall in Category A – the most serious level.
“The police received information that there had been inappropriate chatroom content coming from the defendant’s email address,” said Mr Thackray.
“Officers attended his home and they seized two laptops.
“They were examined and more than 500 images were recovered.”
Barker, of Sirius Court, Bridlington, admitted four counts of making indecent images, one count of distributing an indecent image and one count of possessing extreme pornography, which depicted sex with animals.
He told officers he had entered the chatroom because he was “simply curious”, said Mr Thackray.
However, the prosecutor said data recovered from the laptops showed Barker had a sexual interest in children, because he told another user he liked one of the images.
His barrister, Joanna Golding, said her client was “deeply shamed and remorseful” and wanted help to tackle his offending.
She said: “He makes no excuses and says he deserves to be punished.”
Judge Richardson said the offences committed by Barker, who had no previous convictions, warranted a prison sentence.
However, he sentenced Barker to a three-year community order, which requires him to attend a treatment programme designed for those who have committed web-based sexual offences.
“I do not want anyone to misunderstand the nature of this sentence,” said Judge Richardson.
“If I passed a sentence of imprisonment, you could come out of prison as bad as you went in, potentially worse. That is not in the public interest.
“But one fall from grace, just one missed session, and you will go to prison.”
Barker was also given a five-year sexual offences prevention order.
